Causes of the Lord's Wrath against Scotland

C AU S E S

Of the

LO RD S

WRATH AGAINST

SCOTLAND

James Guthrie

I

MANIFESTED IN HIS SAD LATE

DISPENSATIONS.

WHEREUNTO IS ADDED A PAPER. PARTICULARLY

HOLDING FORTH THE SINS

OFTHEMINISTERY.
PRINTED IN THE YEAR 1653.

[Causes of the Lord's Wrath against Scotland; and, A Humble Acknowledgment of the Sins of the Ministry of Scotland.!

CAUSES

Of the

LORDS

WRATH against

SCOTLAND,

Manifested in his sad late
dispensations.

Whereunto is added a PAPER, par-
ticularly holding forth the Sins
of the MINISTERY.

Printed in the year 1653.

Some General Heads of the Causes why the LORD contends
with the Land, agreed upon (after seeking of the LORD) by the
Commission of the GENERAL ASSEMBLY 1650, with the
advice of divers Ministers from several parts of the Kingdom,
met at Edinburgh, October 1651, so far as for the present they
could attain light therein, which they offer and advise to be
made use of by all the LORD's People in the Land, leaving place
to add, as the Lord shall make further discoveries hereafter of
the guiltiness of the Land, and intending more fully and
particularly to enlarge this Paper.

1. Article.

THE gross Atheism and ignorance of God and of his Word and Works, that is in a
great part of the Inhabitants of the Land, which is such, that neither Law nor Gospel,

nor the most common and necessary points of truth are understood or known by many
thousands.

2. Article. Horrible looseness and profanity of Conversation in all sorts, against the
Commandments, both of the first and second table, which hath so abounded and
increased, that scarce hath any of the Nations exceeded us therein.

3. Article. The despising and slighting of JESUS CHRIST offered in the Gospel
(which we look on as the chief and mother sin of this Nation) and the not valuing and
improving the Gospel and precious Ordinances of CHRIST, unto the establishing and
building up of ourselves in the lively faith of CHRIST and power {4} of godliness,
but either neglecting and despising these things altogether, or else resting upon and
idolizing outward and bare forms, without studying to know in ourselves, or to
promove in others the Kingdom of God, which is righteousness and peace, and joy in
the Holy Ghost: whereby it hath come to pass, that persons not rightly qualified, have
been admitted unto, and continued in the Work of the Ministry and Elderships, and
that public repentance and Kirk-censures have been grossly slighted, and the
Sacrament of the Lord's Supper fearfully polluted by the promiscuous admitting of
many ignorant and scandalous persons thereto, and many willfully ignorant, and
openly and continuedly profane, have been kept in the fellowship of this Kirk,
contrary to the Word of GOD, and Constitutions of this Kirk, and that many other sad
and fearful consequences have followed unto the profaning of all the Ordinances of
GOD, and rendering them for the most part barren and fruitless to us:

4. Art. Not only the exercise of godliness in families much slighted, great men being
unwilling and ashamed to call on the name of the LORD in their Family (which guilt
is exceedingly heightened by the continuing of many of these in the same after solemn
Public confessing thereof, and engaging to the contrary duty in the year 1648.) and
others much neglecting the same; But also the loathing and hating of the power and
life of Religion and godliness, and bearing down such as make conscience thereof, or
aim at any perfection therein, which hath come to such an height, that the Godly are
every-where reproached, reviled, oppressed and persecuted throughout the Land by
sundry of all ranks: yea, by sundry Magistrates and Ministers; and the ungodly and
profane countenanced, encouraged and employed.

5. Article. The base love of the world, and Covetousness, which hath made not only
the Body of the People, but many Ministers, more to mind their own things, than the
things of JESUS CHRIST; and many Masters, Rulers, Magistrates, Officers and
Soldiers in Armies, exceedingly to abuse their power unto the exercising of
intolerable oppression of all kinds on the poor, to the grinding of their faces, and
making their lives bitter to {5} them: Which fountain of Covetousness did also

produce the great insolencies and oppressions in our Armies in England and Ireland,
and the fearful perjuries in the Land in the matter of valuation and Excise.

6. Article. The abusing and prostituting the Public Faith of the Kingdom in the way of
borrowing of Money and otherwise; unto the dishonouring of GOD, mocking of Men,
and reproach of the Nation.

7. Article. In pursuing of necessary Duties of renewing the National Covenant, and
entering into and renewing the solemn League and Covenant, the way of many men's
taking these Covenants was without the knowledge of the necessary things contained
therein, and without reality and sincerity of heart, in order to the performance thereof;
some being induced thereto by example, some by fear, and not a few by principles of
policy, following their own carnal and corrupt ends.

8. Article. The Following the work of God, and pursuing the ends of the Covenant not
in a Spiritual holy way, setting the LORD always before our eyes, and acknowledging
him in all our paths, but in a carnal politick way, abusing GOD's Interest for our own
interest and ends, as if it had been the Work of men, and not the Work of GOD, which
made us walk more in the counsels of our own hearts than in the Counsel of GOD,
and to trust more in the arm of flesh, than in the Arm of the Lord.

9. Article. Backsliding and defection from the Covenant, and from our solemn Vows
and Engagements; the guilt whereof is exceedingly heightened by the aggravating
circumstances of our renewed Oaths, and of the LORD'S Mercies and Engagements,
and of our frequent relapses into the same sins, whereof we once seemed to have
repented, and which we condemned in others: Of this Defection there be these special
heads and Steps:

1 . Step. A foul falling from that honesty of heart, and purity of conversation, and from
the singleness and integrity of heart, {6} and from the fervency & zeal for GOD that
appeared to be in many at the first entry to the Covenant; and declining into loose
walking, and self interest, and neutrality and indifferency, from which have issued
many sad consequences, especially the great scandal and stumbling of many godly in
the Land, at us and the Work of God in our hand.

2. Step. The sitting up of many Professors in the Land under the Gospel, and
becoming formal and remiss, not entertaining tenderness, spiritual life and soberness
of mind, which as it hath been amongst the provoking Causes of the LORD'S wrath,
and hath rendered some obnoxious to snares on both hands, so may it (if it be not
mourned for and amended) draw on more wrath, and expose to the hazard of errour
and disaffection to the Work of GOD.

3. Step. The secret falling off of some, and open falling away of many unto the
opposite party, after their entering in Covenant, especially that defection carried on
by James Graham & his party, and that which was afterward carried on by the
Authors and Abettors of the unlawful Engagement 1648.

4. Step. The neglecting, obstructing, and condemning, the purging of the Judicatories
and Army, 1649, and afterward, from scandalous and disaffected men; and of the
constituting the same of men of known integrity and affection to the Cause, and of a
blameless and Christian Conversation, notwithstanding of the solemn publick
Confession of these sins, and Engaging unto these duties a little before that time.

5. Step. The Authorizing of Commissioners to close a Treaty with the King, for the
investing him with the Government, upon his subscribing such Demands as were sent
to him, after he had given many clear evidences of his disaffection and enmity to the
work and people of God, and was continuing in the same: And the admitting of him to
the full exercise of his power, and Crowning him, notwithstanding of new discoveries
of his adhering to his former principles and way, and of many warnings to the
contrary. {7}

6. Step. The Rejecting of Discoveries of guiltiness and causes of the Lord's contending
with us, and of our duty in reference thereto; such as the cause of humiliation offered
by the Commission of the General Assembly, to the Committee of Estates at Leith,
before the defeat at Dumbar. The causes of humiliation condescended on

at Sterlin immediately after the defeat at Dumbar. The Remonstrance of the
Gentlemen, Ministers and Forces in the West, and many other testimonies of
Presbyteries and Synods together; neglecting the means tending to peace, and to the
preventing the effusion of more blood; from pride and bitterness of spirit against those
who had invaded us.

7. Step. The Publick Resolutions of Kirk and State, for bringing in the Malignant
party, first to the Army, and then to the Judicatories, and to the actual intrusting of
them with the power of the Kingdom, both Military and Civil, whereby the state of
our cause is not only turned upside down, by subordinating the interest of God to the
interest of men; but the work and people of God have been entrusted to the enemies
thereof.

8. Step. The joining of many engaged in the Covenant and Cause of God, in Arms
with the Forces of the Kingdom, after that by the Public Resolutions, there was a
prevailing party of Malignants brought into the Army, who had the sway of Counsels
and Actings therein, and were carrying on a malignant interest.

9. Step. The pre-limiting and corrupting of the Gen. Assembly, in regard of the free,
lawful and right constitution thereof, excluding such as were faithful and constant in
the Cause, and making it up, for the most part, of those who had been active and
instrumental in carrying on a course of Defection, or were consenting thereto;
whereby it came to pass that that Meeting did ratify and approve the Defection itself,
and did not only censure sundry for protesting against them, but also laid a foundation
for censuring all such Ministers, and for keeping all such out of the Ministry who did
not approve of their Constitution and Acts, and did issue Warnings and Declarations
reflecting exceedingly upon, and contradicting { 8 } and condemning former pious and
warrantable proceedings, and the instruments thereof.

10. Article. Deep security, impenitency, obstinacy and incorrigibleness under all
these, and under all the dreadful strokes of God, and tokens of his indignation against
us, because of the same, so that whilst he continues to smite, we are so far from
humbling ourselves, and turning to Him, that we wax worse and worse and sin more
and more. {9}

Having at our last Meeting intended and promised to enlarge
more fully and particularly these General Heads of the LORD's
Controversy with the Land, then condescended on; We shall
now prosecute and perform the same, so far as we conceive is
needful, and may be helpful to others, for the better
understanding thereof.

IT were superfluous to speak anything to the 1. Article, which relates to the gross
ignorance of many thousands in the Land; the truth of the thing being unquestionably
acknowledged and bemoaned by all the faithful and godly Ministers in the Land, and
that a great many come to age, are grossly ignorant of the first Principles of Christian
Religion; which sin of ignorance, although it be extenuated and slightly looked on by
many, yet it is holden forth by the Holy Ghost in the Scriptures, as the fountain of the
estrangement of souls from the life of God, Eph. 4.18, through the blindness that is in
them, having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God,
through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart; of all
their disobedience, and living in their lusts, 1 Pet. 1.14, as obedient children, not
fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance; And as that
which makes them liable to the wrath of God in the day of Christ's appearance,
2 Thes. 1.8, When the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from Heaven with his mighty
Angels inflaming fire, {10} taking vengeance on them who know not God, and obey
not the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. The guilt of this sin is much aggravated by

these Circumstances; (1.) It is willful under the light of the Gospel, and the means of
knowledge. (2.) In regard of long continuing therein, many have lived under it for so
many years together, even till their old age. (3.) From the grossness of it, being such
in many, as they know almost nothing of the very Letter of the Scriptures, either of
their sin and misery, or of the mercy and remedy that is holden forth through Jesus
Christ, or of the duty which they owe to God and their Neighbour: nothing almost
either of Law or Gospel, of the Covenant of Grace, or of the Covenant of Works, of
Commandments, Threatenings or Promises, except in such a general and confused
way as is altogether useless unto them, and fruitless in them. (4.) In regard of the
multitude of these who lie under it, which is very great in all the corners of the Land,
especially in the Highlands. (5.) In regard of the quality of persons who are not only
servants and Commons, but Masters of Families, and persons of some note in Burghs
and in the Country; yea, not a few who have the place of Magistrates and Elders. The
Article doth also mention ignorance of the Works of God, by which is meant not only
the Works of Creation wherein the Eternal Power and Godhead are clearly seen, Rom.
1.20, For the invisible things of him from the Creation of the World, are clearly seen,
being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal Power and Godhead;
but also the ignorance of the Works of Providence, which are great and
marvelous, Rev. 15.3, And they sing the song of Moses the servant of God, and the
song of the Lamb, saying, Great and marvelous are thy works Lord God Almighty,
just and true are thy ways thou King of Saints. And albeit these should be sought out
of all these that take pleasure therein, Psalm 1 1 1 .2, and the right understanding and
observation of them, hath a large promise made thereunto, Psalm 107.43, Who is wise
and will observe these things, even they shall understand the lovingkindness of the
Lord. Yet doth the ignorance thereof exceedingly abound amongst many, especially
the ignorance and not observing, but forgetting the works of mercy and judgments,
which GOD hath wrought amongst ourselves; which sin as it proved an in-let to many
other provocations, from the 1th verse of that Psalm throughout, {11} so hath it great
threatenings pronounced against it, and sore judgments inflicted on
it, Psalm 28.5, Because they regard not the works of the Lord, nor the operation of his
hands, he shall destroy them, and not build them up. Isa. 5.11,12, Woe to them that
rise up early in the morning, that they may follow strong drink, and continue all night,
till wine inflame them, and the wine and the pipe, the viol, the tabret and the harp are
in their feasts, but they regard not the work of the Lord, nor consider the operation of
his hands. Psalm 106.7,13,21,22. Our fathers understood not thy wonders in Egypt,
they remembered not the multitude of thy mercies, but provoked him at the sea, they
soon forgot his works, they waited not for his counsel. They for gat their Saviour, who
had done great things in Egypt, wondrous works in the land of Ham, and terrible
things by the red sea. In this Article also, Atheism is joined with Ignorance, which as
it is the root and fountain of all other sin, Psalm 14.1, The fool hath said in his heart,
there is no God, they are corrupt, they have done abominable works, there is none

that doth good. So it is also the root and fountain of all misery, Eph. 2.12, At that time
ye were without Christ, being strangers from the Commonwealth of Israel, and
strangers from the Covenant of promise, having no hope, and being without God in
the world. And yet this doth possess many, there being multitudes of that wicked
sort, Psalm 10.4, Who through the pride of their heart, will not seek God, God is not
in all their thoughts. These are far from acknowledging him in all their ways, and
aiming at his glory in all their actions, according to these divine
rules, Proverbs 3.6, In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.
1 Cor. 10.31, Whether therefore ye eat or ye drink, or whatsoever ye do, in word or
deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, giving thanks to the Father through
him. But they do live as if there were no God, or as if he had forsaken the earth, and
did not see. Ezek. 9.9, Then said he unto me, The iniquity of the house of Israel and
Judah is exceeding great, and the Land is full of blood, and the City full of
perverseness, for they say, The Lord hath forsaken the earth, and the Lord seeth
not; Or as if the Lord would not do good or evil, like these who are threatened, Zeph.
1.12, 1 will search Jerusalem with candles, and punish the men that are settled on
their lees, that say in their heart, the Lord will not do good, neither will he do
evil. {12}

The second Article.

THE second Article concerning looseness and profanity, is no less true and evident
than the first, it being undeniable that a flood of profanity hath overflowed the whole
Land, and that the most part of the Inhabitants thereof have corrupted their way before
him, unto the dishonouring of his Name, reproach of our profession, and provoking
the eyes of his Glory, Isa. 1.2-5, Hear O heavens, and give ear O earth for the Lord
hath spoken, I have nourished and brought up children, and they have rebelled
against me; the ox hath known his owner, and the ass his master's crib, but Israel doth
not know, my people doth not consider: Ah, sinful Nation, a people loaden with
iniquity, a seed of evil doers, children that are corrupters, they have forsaken the
Lord, they have provoked the holy one of Israel to Anger, they have gone away
backward; why should ye be stricken any more, ye will revolt more and more, the
whole head is sick, and the whole heart is faint. Ezek. 36.21-23, But I had pity for my
holy name's sake, which the house of Israel hath profaned amongst the Heathen
whither they went: Therefore say to the house of Israel, thus saith the Lord God, I do
not this for your sake, O house of Israel, but for my holy Name's sake, which ye have
profaned amongst the Heathen whither ye went, and I will sanctify my great name
which was profaned among the Heathen which ye have profaned in the midst of them,
and the Heathen shall know that I am the Lord, saith the Lord God, when I shall be
sanctified in you, before their eyes. Malach. 2.11-13, Judah hath dealt treacherously,

and an abomination is committed in Israel and Jerusalem, for Judah hath profaned
the holiness of the Lord which he loved, and hath married the daughter of a strange
god, the Lord will cut off the man that doth this, the master and the scholar out of the
Tabernacles of Jacob, and him that offereth an offering unto the Lord of hosts; and
this have ye done again, covering the Altar of the Lord with tears, with weeping and
with crying out, in so much that he regardeth not the offering any more, or receiveth it
with good will at your hands. Isa. 3.8, For Jerusalem is ruined and Judah is fallen;
because their tongue and their doings are against { 13 } the Lord, to provoke the eyes
of his glory. The guilt of this abounding looseness and profanity is so much the more
heightened by these circumstances that do attend it: First, that it is under the clear
light of the Gospel, of the Word preached now for many years throughout the Land, in
purity and plenty. Secondly, that it is contrary to many solemn Vows, Engagements,
Oaths and Covenants taken on us before God, Angels and men to the contrary.
Thirdly, that it is under many blessings, mercies and deliverances from the Lord.
Fourthly that it is under many chastisements, rods and judgments, especially the
sword and pestilence, by which two, many thousands in the Land have been taken
away within these few years. Fifthly, that it is common and universal, and hath
reached over all sorts of persons, Noblemen, Gentlemen, Barons, Burgesses, Ministers
and Commons. Sixthly, from the greatness of it, shamelessness of it, avowedness and
grossness of it, which is such that many declare their sin as Sodom, and commit all
sorts of wickedness with greediness. Seventhly, from the kinds of it, some of the chief
and most common of which, especially these who are not named in some other Article
of the former Paper; we shall here touch: (1.) Impatiency, murmuring and fretting
against God and his works, which hath made many to weary of the charges and
expense they have been put to, for the Gospel, and to wish there had been no such
thing as the entering into the National Covenant, and the renewing and entering into
the solemn League and Covenant, not to an few to curse and blaspheme the
Covenants, and to look on them as the rise and original of all the evils wherewith the
Land hath been afflicted; and it is an great provocation before God, as it appears from
these and the like Scriptures, Numb. 14.1,2,3,4,10,11,12, And all the Congregations
lifted up their voice and weeped and cried, and the people weeped that night, and all
the children of Israel murmured against Moses, and against Aaron, and the whole
Congregation said to them, would to God we had died in the land of Egypt, or would
to God we had died in the wilderness; and wherefore hath the Lord brought us to this
land to fall by the sword, that our wives, and our children should be a prey, were it
not better for us to return to Egypt? And they said one to another, let us make a
Captain, let us return to Egypt; then Moses and Aaron fell on their faces before the
Assemblies of all the Congregation of the children of Israel, {14} but all the
Congregation bade stone them with stones, and the glory of the Lord appeared in the
Tabernacle of the Congregation before all the Children ^/Israel: And the Lord said
unto Moses, How long will this People provoke me? and how long will it be ere this

People believe me, for all the signs I have shewed amongst them? I will smite them
with pestilence, and disinherit them, and will make of thee a Nation, mightier and
greater than they. Numbers 21. 5, 6 And they journeyed from Mount Hor, by the way of
the Red Sea, to compass the Land o/Edom; and the soul of the People was much
discouraged because of the way; and the People spake against GOD, and against
Moses, Wherefore have ye brought us up out of the Land to die in the wilderness? for
there is no bread, neither is there any water; for our soul loatheth this light bread:
and the Lord sent fiery serpents among the people, and much people o/Israel died. 1
Cor. 11.10, Neither be ye murmurers, as some of them also murmured, and were
destroyed of the destroyer. (2.) Using not only of charms, though it be condemned in
the Scriptures, Deut. 18.1 1, A Charmer, or a consulter with familiar spirits, or a
Wizard, or a Necromancer, shall not be found amongst you; for all that do these
things are an abomination to the Lord: yet is very frequent among the Commons: But
also Sorcery and Witchcraft, which is an abomination, Exod. 22.18, Thou shalt not
suffer a Witch to live. Deut. 18.10, There shall not be found amongst you any that
useth Divination, or an enchanter, or any Witch; especially amongst these who have
been baptized in the Name of the Lord Jesus, and yet doth (by the great discoveries
thereof which hath been of late) appear to be very frequent in the Land. (3.) Ordinary
swearing by them that are no Gods, Jer. 5.7, How shall I pardon thee for this? thy
Children have forsaken Me, and sworn by them who are no Gods, when I have fed
them to the full. Zeph. 1.4,5, / will also stretch out my hand against Judah, and all the
inhabitants of Jerusalem; and I will cut off the remnant of Baal from this place, and
the name of the Chemarims, with the Priests: and them that worship the host of
heaven upon the house tops, and them that worship, and that swear by the Name of
the LORD, and that swear by Malcham: such as Faith, Truth, Soul, Conscience, and
by the holy and blessed Name of GOD Himself, and by His Blood and Wounds, and
fearful Execrations and Cursings, which though they {15} be condemned, forbidden
and threatened in the Scriptures, Exod. 20.7, Thou shalt not take the Name of the Lord
thy God in vain. Lev. 19.12, Thou shalt not swear by my Name falsely, neither shalt
thou profane the Name of thy God: I am the Lord. Matt. 5.33-37, Again, ye have
heard it said by them of old time, Thou shalt not forswear thyself, but shalt perform to
the Lord thy God thy Oaths. But I say unto you, Swear not at all, neither by Heaven,
for it is God's Throne: neither by the Earth, for it is His Footstool: neither
by Jerusalem, for it is the City of the great King: neither shalt thou swear by thy Head,
for thou cannot make one hair white or black. But let your communication be, Yea,
yea; Nay, nay: for whatsoever is more than these, cometh of evil. Jer. 23.10, For the
Land is full of Adulteries; because of Swearing the Land mourneth, and the pleasant
places in the wilderness are dried up, because their course is evil, and their force is
not right. Zech. 5.1-4, Then I looked, and lift up mine eyes, and behold, a flying Roll:
the length thereof is twenty cubits, and the breadth thereof ten cubits. Then said he
unto me, This is the curse that goeth over the face of the whole Earth: for every one

that stealeth, shall be cut off as on this side, according to it: and every one that
sweareth, shall be cut off on that side, according to it. I will bring it forth, saith the
Lord of hosts, and it shall enter into the house of the Thief, and into the house of him
that sweareth falsely by my Name: and it shall remain in the midst of his house, and
shall consume the timber and stones thereof. Yet these are so frequent and habitual
amongst us, that in many parts of the Land it is a rare thing to find a man or a woman,
that in their ordinary speech is not addicted to some one of these. (4.) Ordinary and
gross profanation of the Lord's Day; not only by slighting of, and absenting from the
Publick Worship with the Congregation, which is a fault whereof many are guilty; and
not attending to the Word, or joining in Prayer and singing of Psalms, when they are
present, but also by traveling, trysting, working, speaking our own words and
otherwise: The danger and heinousness of this sin appears, from Exod.
20.8, Remember the Sabbath day to keep it holy. Nehem. 13.15-18, In those days, saw
I in Judah, some treading Wine-presses on the Sabbath, and bringing in Sheaves, and
loading Asses, and also Wine-Grapes, and Figs, and all manner of burdens which
they brought to Jerusalem on {16} the Sabbath Day: and I testified against them in
the day wherein they sold victuals. There dwelt men o/Tyre also therein, which
brought fish and all manner of ware, which they sold to the children
of Juda and Jerusalem on the Sabbath: then I contended with the Nobles o/Juda, and
said unto them, What evil thing is this which ye do, and profane the Sabbath day, did
not your fathers thus, and did not our God bring all this evil on us, and on this city?
yet ye bring more wrath on Israel, by profaning the Sabbath. Isai. 58.13,14, If thou
turn away thy foot from the Sabbath, from doing thy own pleasure on my holy day,
and call the Sabbath a delight, and the holy of the Lord, honourable, and shalt honour
him, not doing thine own ways, nor finding thine own pleasures, nor speaking thine
own words, then shalt thou delight thyself in the Lord, and thou shalt ride on the high
places of the earth, and I will feed thee with the heritage of Jacob thy father, for the
mouth of the Lord hath spoken it. (5.) Not giving obedience to authority to their just
and lawful commands for conscience sake, Rom. 13.5, Wherefore ye must needs be
subject, not only for wrath, but also for conscience sake. And on the other hand, an
implicit and willing following of their unlawful commands, obeying men rather than
God, Hos. 5.11, Ephraim is oppressed and broken in judgment, because he willingly
walked after the commandment. Acts 4.19, Whether it be right in the sight of God to
hearken to you rather than to God, judge ye. The gross neglect of many parents in the
instructing and breeding of their Children in knowledge, virtue, and piety, Eph.
6.4, Ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath, but bring them up in the nurture
and admonition of the Lord. And the untowardness and ingratitude of many Children
to their Parents, Eph. 6.1-3, Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right.
Honour thy father and mother (which is the first commandment with promise) that it
may be well with thee, and that thou may live long on the earth. (6.) Self murder,
unnatural murder of Children, enmity, malice, strife, contention, especially at Law

suits, revenge, and blood, which as they are ancient sins of this Nation, and did much
appear in the banding of Clans one against another, and have been little mourned for,
or repented of to this day, so do they still continue whilst we profess the unity of the
Faith in Christ, and are joined in Covenants of love and peace one with another,
{17} Jam. 3.14-16, But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not,
and lie not against the truth. This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly,
sensual, devilish: For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil
work. 1 Cor. 5.8, Therefore let us keep the feast not with old Leaven, neither with the
leaven of malice and wickedness, but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.
Titus 3.3, For we ourselves were sometime disobedient, foolish, deceived, serving
divers lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, and hating one another.
Levit. 19.18, Thou shalt not avenge nor bear any grudge against the children of thy
people; but thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself, I am the LORD. Prov. 1.16, For
their feet run to evil, and they make haste to shed blood, Gal. 5.15, For if ye bite and
devour one another, take heed that ye be not consumed one of another. (7.)
Intemperance, gluttony and drunkenness; the last of which is become so common, that
it hath overrun almost the whole Nation, so that it is hard to find many who are not
tipplers, or common drunkards, or will drink drunk on occasion and with company:
With this sin we may join the immoderate and excessive use of Tobacco, which is
such, that much money and precious time is needlessly and superfluously spent that
way by persons of all sorts. Isa. 5.1 1,12,22, Woe to them that rise up early in the
morning to drink strong drink, and continue till night, till Wine inflame them; and the
harp, and the viol, and tabret, and the pipe, and wine are in their feasts. Woe to them
that are mighty to drink wine, and men of might to mingle strong drink. Prov. 23.29-
32, Who hath woe? Who hath sorrow? Who hath contentions? Who hath babblings?
Who hath wounds without cause? Who hath redness of eyes? They that tarry long at
the wine, they that go to seek mixed wine. Look not thou on the wine when it is red,
when it gives its colour in the cup, when it moveth itself aright; at last it biteth like a
serpent, and stingeth like an adder. Eph. 5.18, fie not drunk with wine, wherein is
excess. (8.) Vanity and excess in apparel, and in household stuff, far above that which
becometh the sobriety of the Gospel, or that the condition of such a people can reach
unto, Isa. 3, from the 16th verse, Because the daughters ofZion are haughty, and walk
with stretched out necks, and wanton eyes, and mincing as they go, and making a
tinkling with their feet, therefore the LORD {18} will smite with a scab the crown of
the head of the daughters ofZion, and the LORD will discover their secret parts. And
in that day the Lord will take away the bravery of their tinkling ornaments about their
feet, and their cauls, and their round tires like the Moon, the chains, and the
bracelets, and the mufflers, & the bonnets, & the ornaments of the legs, and the head-
bands, and the tablets, and the ear-rings, and the nose-jewels, the changeable suits of
apparel, the mantles and the wimples, the crisping pins, the glasses and the fine linen,
and the hoods, and the vails; and it shall come to pass that in stead of a sweet smell

there shall be stink, and in stead of a girdle a rent, and in stead of well set hair,
baldness, and in stead of a stomacher, a girding of sackcloth, and burning in stead of
beauty, thy men shall fall by the sword, and thy mighty men in the war, and her gates
shall lament and mourn, and she being desolate shall sit on the ground. 1 Pet.
3.3, Whose adorning let it not be outward adorning of plaiting the hair, and of
wearing of gold, and putting on of apparel. Zeph. 1.8, And it shall come to pass in the
day of the LORD'S sacrifice that I will punish the Princes; and the King's children
and all such as are clothed with strange apparel. (9.) Uncleanness and filthiness of all
sorts, rotten speeches, filthy communication, chambering and wantonness, &
fornication, adultery, incest, in some places beastiality, and sodomy, especially
fornications and adulteries which abound in many places; the first whereof, viz.
fornication is by many accounted no sin. For discovering the greatness of these sins,
consider, Exod. 20.14, Thou shalt not commit adultery. 1 Cor. 6.13, Now the body is
not for fornication, but for the Lord, and the Lord, for the body. 1 Cor. 5.1, It is
reported commonly, that there is fornication amongst you, and such fornication as is
not so much as named among the Gentiles, that one should have his father's wife.
Rom. 13.13, Let us walk honestly as in the day, not in chambering and wantonness.
Eph. 5.3, But fornication and all uncleanness, let it not once be named among you. 4th
verse, Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient.
(10.) Prodigality, oppression, extortions, usury, bribery, theft, robbery, false weights
and measures, injustice and unfaithfulness in Contracts and Bargains, with fraudulent
dealing and deceiving one another; Artificial dearthing of victuals and other things,
the livelihood and maintenance of the People. Exod. 20.15, Thou shalt not steal. Ezek.
22.12, In thee {19} have they taken gifts to shed blood, thou hast taken usury and
increase, thou hast greedily gained of thy neighbour by extortion. Amos 5.12, They
afflict the just, they have taken a bribe, they turn aside the poor from his right. Micah
6.10,1 1, Are there yet treasures of wickedness in the house of the wicked, and the
scant measure that is abominable? Shall I count them pure with the wicked balances,
and with the bag of deceitful weights? 1 Thess. 4.6, That no man go beyond and
defraud his brother in any matter, for the Lord is the avenger of all such. (11.) Lying,
slandering, backbiting, detracting, reviling, tale-bearing, rash censuring, and defaming
and speaking ill one of another, with false witnessing and perjury, breach of Oaths,
Covenants, promises. Exodus 20.16, Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy
neighbour. Psalm 50.19,20, Thou givest thy mouth to evil, and thy tongue frameth
deceit: thou sittest and speakest against thy brother; thou slanderest thine own
mother's son. 2 Cor. 12.20, Lest there be debates, envying, wrath, strife, backbiting,
whisperings, swellings, and tumults. Matt. 7.1, Judge not, that ye be not judged. Rom.
1.31, without understanding, Covenant-breakers, without natural affection,
implacable, unmerciful. 2 Tim. 3.1,2, This know also, that in the last days, perilous
times shall come, for men shall be lovers of themselves, covetous, boasters, proud,
blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unholy. Before we close this Article of profanity,

we cannot but in a special way take notice of the carriage of many beggars in the
Land, amongst whom for a long time past, abominations of all sorts hath abounded;
which sin lies so much heavier on the Land, because though it hath been generally
known and acknowledged by all, yet hath no effectual course been taken to this day
for the helping thereof.

3. Article.

THE third Article which relates to JESUS CHRIST and the Gospel, is in a great
measure spoken to in the Causes of Humiliation, concerning the contempt of the
Gospel, condescended on by the Commission of the General Assembly at Perth,
Dec. 22, 1650, yet some particulars there be in the Article, which we shall now speak
unto: (1.) The resting on outward and bare forms, without studying to know in
ourselves, or to promove in others, the Kingdom of GOD, which is righteousness, and
peace, and joy in {20} the Holy Ghost. The Work of Reformation in the outward part
of it, or external means, that do relate to Worship and Ordinances of GOD and the
purity thereof, is certainly a thing excellent and desirable, which all the lovers of pure
Religion and undefiled, ought to endeavour to attain to and preserve, Ezra
7.27, Blessed be the Lord God of our fathers, who hath put such a thing as this in the
King's heart; to beautify the house of the Lord at Jerusalem. Exod.
39.42,43, According to all that the Lord commanded Moses, so the Children of Israel
made all the work. And Moses did look on all the work, and behold they had done it,
as the Lord commanded, even so had they done, and Moses blessed them. Ezek.
42.11, And the way before them was like the appearing of the Chambers that were
toward the North, as long as they, and as broad as they, and all their goings out were
both according to their fashions, and according to their doors. Heb. 3.2, Who was
faithful to him that appointed him, as also Moses was faithful in all his house. Heb.
8.5, Who serve unto the example and shadow of heavenly things, as Moses was
admonished of God, when he was about to make the tabernacle; for, see (saith he)
that thou make all things according to the pattern shewed thee in the mount. But when
these things are rested upon and idolized, they do through our corruption become
snares to us, to keep us from seeking in to more excellent and better things, to wit,
communion and fellowship with GOD, and the power and life of godliness, which are
the kernel, whereof these things are but the shell and the scrooff, and being rested
upon, do provoke the Lord either to make them barren and fruitless to us, or else to
loath us in the following of them, or to remove them wholly away from us. Isa. 1.10-
15, Hear the word of the Lord ye rulers of Sodom, give ear to the Law of our God ye
people of Gomorrah; To what purpose is the multitude of your sacrifices to me, saith
the Lord? I am full of the burnt-offerings of rams, and the fat of fed beasts: I delight

not in the blood of bullocks, or of lambs, or of he-goats. When ye come to appear
before me, who hath required this at your hands, to tread my Courts? Bring no more
vain oblation, incense is an abomination to me, the new moons and the Sabbaths, and
the calling of the assembly, I cannot away with, it is an iniquity, even the solemn
meeting: your new moons and appointed feasts my soul hateth, they are a trouble to
me, I am weary to bear them: And when ye spread forth your {21 }hands, I will hide
mine eyes from you; yea when ye make many prayers, I will not hear: your hands are
full of blood. Isa. 66.1-4, Thus saith the Lord, The heavens is my throne, and the earth
is my footstool, where is the house ye will build me, and where is the place of my rest?
for all these things hath mine hand made, and all these things have been saith the
Lord. But to this man will I look, even to him that is of a poor and contrite spirit, and
trembleth at my word. He that killeth an ox is as if he slew a man: he that sacrificeth a
lamb, as if he cut off a dog's neck: he that offereth an oblation, as he that offereth
swine's blood; he that burneth incense, as he that blesseth an idol. Yea, they have
chosen their own ways, and their soul delighteth in their abominations; I also will
choose their delusions, and bring their fears on them, because when I called, none did
answer; and when I spake, they did not hear, but did evil before mine eyes, and chose
that in which I delighted not. Jer. 7.4,8-14, Trust ye not in lying words, saying, The
temple of the Lord, the temple of the Lord, are these. Behold, ye trust in lying words
that cannot profit. Will ye steal, murder, commit adultery, and swear falsely, and burn
incense to Baal, and walk after other gods whom ye know not, and come and stand
before me in this house, which is called by my name, and say, we are delivered to do
all these abominations? Is this house which is called by my Name become a den of
robbers in your eyes? Behold, even I have seen it, saith the Lord; but go ye to my
place which was in Shiloh, where I set my Name at the first, and see what I did to it,
for the wickedness of my people Israel. And now because ye have done all these
works, saith the Lord, and I spake to you, rising up early, and speaking, but ye heard
not; and I called you, but ye answered not: Therefore will I do unto this house which
is called by my Name, wherein ye trust, and to the place which I gave to your fathers,
as I have done to Shiloh. Ezek. 7.20-22, As for the beauty of his ornament, he set it in
Majesty; but they made the Images of their abominations, and of their detestable
things therein: therefore have I set it far from them. And I will give it to the hands of
the strangers for a prey, and to the wicked of the earth for a spoil, and they shall
pollute it; my face also will I turn from them, and they shall pollute my secret place,
for the robbers shall enter into it and defile it. Zeph. 3.13, The remnant of Israel shall
not do iniquity, nor speak lies, neither shall a deceitful tongue be {22} found in their
mouth, for they shall feed and lie down, and none shall make them afraid. And this
hath been undoubtedly in a great measure the fault of many in this Land, the height of
whose zeal and endeavours hath been for the most part to attain the purity of
Ordinances, not labouring for the power thereof, whence hath issued a great deal of
boasting and confidence in a Covenant and pure Ordinances, and a well reformed

Kirk, when in the meanwhile most men be strangers to that grace that bringeth
salvation, and teacheth to deny ungodliness and worldly lusts, and to live soberly,
righteously and godly in this present world. Titus 2.11,12, For the grace of God that
bringeth salvation, hath appeared to all men, teaching us, that denying ungodliness
and worldly lusts, we should live godly, righteously and soberly in this present world.
The second is the sad Consequents that hath followed on this, whereof there be four
special in the Article.

The First whereof is, The admitting of persons not rightly qualified to the work of the
Ministry, and Elderships in Congregations, and the continuing of such in these places.
For understanding of which, ye would consider, that the Word of God, and Acts and
Constitutions of our Kirk, do require of Ministers, not only that they be men of
knowledge, understanding and conscience, for ruling in the house of God, and of a
blameless conversation; but that they be sanctified and holy, and spiritual, and have
their senses exercised in spiritual things: A Bishop (saith Paul, Titus 1.8) must be a
lover of good men, sober, just, holy, temperate. And the same Apostle, 1 Tim. 3.6,
tells us, he must not be a novice, or one newly come in to the faith. He would not only
have him in the faith, that he may speak because he believes, and be able to comfort
others with the consolations wherewith he hath been himself comforted of God,
2 Cor. 1.3,4, Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, even the
Father of mercies, and God of all comfort, who comforteth us in all our tribulation,
that we may be able to comfort others who are in trouble, with the comfort wherewith
we ourselves have been comforted of God. In the Acts of the Assembly
at Edinburgh 1596, March 26, it is provided, That the trial of the persons to be
admitted to the Ministry hereafter, consist not only in their learning and ability to
preach, but also in conscience and feeling, and spiritual wisdom; and in the same Act
it is provided, that such as shall not be found given to sanctification and {23 } prayer,
that study not to be powerful and spiritual, but be cold, and wanting spiritual Zeal, that
all such persons be censured, and continuing therein, be deprived: Which Act was
revived in the General Assembly 1638, likewise in the General Assembly 1646. The
putting in, and holding in of insufficient and suspected men, who favour the things of
this life; and the keeping the door straiter on these whom God hath sealed, then on
these who have less evidence of Grace and holiness, is reckoned amongst the
enormities and corruptions of the Ministry in their callings; and amongst the remedies
of these corruptions, it is provided, That all Presbyteries make great conscience to
have all vacant places, within their several bounds settled with godly and able men,
wherever they be found. These Scriptures and Acts, with sundry others of the like
kind, require, not only that a Minister be negatively holy, that is, one who is not
scandalous in his life and conversation, but that he be positively holy, acquainted with
God and spiritual things, and a partaker of the grace of the Gospel in himself, which
he preacheth to others; and religious reason doth require the same: How shall he be a

Christian Minister, who is not a Christian? how shall he preach to others, who doth
not himself believe? how shall he know to speak a word in season, to whom the Lord
hath not given the tongue of the Learned? to comfort others with the consolations of
God, who was never comforted therewith himself? How shall he pray for others, who
cannot pray for himself? How shall he reveal Christ, who never knew him? How shall
he naturally care for souls, who hath not the love of Christ dwelling in him? The
Scriptures do also require of ruling Elders, not only that they be men of
understanding, knowledge, and wisdom, and such as are able to discern and rule, but
also that they be blameless and holy, as is evident in the Epistles
of Paul toTimothy and Titus. And the Discipline of our Kirk requires, That besides
abilities to govern, consult, admonish, and order all things appertaining to the state of
the Congregation, that they be men of a good life and holy conversation, without
blame, and all suspicion, careful for the Flock, wise; and above all things fearing God:
notwithstanding hereof, many literal and formal men, who are strangers to the mystery
of godliness, & work of the Spirit of life, which is in Jesus Christ, are admitted unto,
and continued in the Ministry and Elderships (nay, in some places, especially in
Elderships, men that are ignorant and {24} scandalous) by which things it comes to
pass that there is a lifeless, dead, and careless Ministry, and unprofitable Elderships in
many Congregations, and that the growth of the Gospel and godliness, is exceedingly
obstructed and hindered.

The second Consequent which is mentioned, is, The gross slighting and mocking of
Kirk Censures, and of Publick Repentance; whereof it would be considered, That the
Word of God, Acts and Constitutions of this Kirk, do require of these who are to make
Publick Profession of their Repentance for scandalous offences, not only a naked and
bare profession of Repentance, but such a profession of Repentance, as doth hold
forth a real conviction and sorrow for sin; and not only the ceasing from the sin for the
time, but the bringing forth of the contrary good fruits of sobriety, righteousness and
holiness, Numb. 5.6-8, Speak unto the Children of Israel, when a man or a woman
shall commit any sin that men commit, to do a trespass against the Lord, and that
person be guilty; then they shall confess their sin which they have done; and he shall
recompence his trespass with the principal thereof, and add unto it the fifth part
thereof, and give it unto him against whom he hath trespassed. But if the man have no
kinsman to recompence the trespass unto, let the trespass be recompensed unto the
Lord, even unto the Priest: beside the Ram of atonement, whereby an atonement shall
be made for him. It is appointed that offenders who have wronged others, and were to
be admitted to the trespass offering, should not only make confession of their sins, but
also make satisfaction to the party to whom the wrong was done, which satisfaction is
a fruit of righteousness; to which agrees that of Jesus Christ, Matt. 5.23, If thou bring
thy gift to the Altar, and there remembrest that thy brother hath ought against thee,
verse 24, leave there thy gift before the Altar, and go thy way, and first be reconciled

to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift. In that publick penitential confession
that is mentioned, Ezra 10.10,11, Ye have transgressed and taken strange wives, and
increased the trespasses of Israel: now therefore make confession to the LORD GOD
of your fathers, and do his pleasure, and separate yourselves from the people of the
land, and from the strange wives. There is not only a confession of the sin, but a doing
of the LORD'S pleasure, and a separating of themselves from the people of the land,
and from the strange wives. Psalm 51, which was penned to be a testimony {25 }
of David's Publick Repentance, for the scandalous sins of murder and adultery
committed by him; and was therefore committed to the chief Musician, to be
Published in the Sanctuary and Temple, doth contain many notable Evidences of
Repentance and Reformation: And we see the Apostle Paul, 2 Cor. 2.7, doth not give
charge to the Corinthians for the receiving the Incestuous person, until he is in some
appearance of hazard to be swallowed up with too much sorrow, 7th verse, Ye ought
to forgive him and comfort him, lest perhaps such an one be swallowed up with
overmuch sorrow; which doth argue that the Apostle thought a great measure of real
conviction and sorrow requisite in such an one, before he ought to be received:
According to these Scriptures, the first book of Discipline, in the 7th head thereof,
requires that before scandalous persons be admitted to the Publick confession of their
Repentance, that there appear in them signs of unfeigned repentance; and the form and
order of Publick repentance appointed by the General Assembly of the Ministers and
Elders, in the which they ought sharply to be examined what fear and terrour they
have of God's judgments, and what hatred for sin, and dolor for the same, and what
sense and feeling they have of God's mercies; in the which if they be ignorant, they
ought diligently to be instructed: For it is but a mocking to present such to Publick
Repentance as neither know what sin is, what Repentance is, what Grace is, nor by
whom God's mercy and favour is purchased, thereafter the offender shall be instructed
in the Assembly, so that he have some taste of God's Judgments, but chiefly of God's
Mercies through Jesus Christ, he may be presented before the Publick Kirk; And the
Act of the General Assembly at Edinburgh 1596, March 26, That none falling in
Publick scandal be received in the fellowship of the Kirk, except his Minister have
some appearance and warrant in his Conscience, that he hath both a feeling of sin, and
an apprehension of mercy; and for this effect, that the Minister travail with him in
Doctrine, and private instruction, to bring him thereto; especially in the Doctrine of
Publick Repentance, which being neglected, the Publick place of Repentance is turned
to a mocking. And the Acts of the General Assembly at Edinburgh 1649, provides that
because many heretofore have made a shew and profession of Repentance, who were
not convinced of their guiltiness, nor humbled for the same, but did thereafter return
like the dog to the vomit, { 26 } and with the sow to the puddle, unto the mocking of
God, the exceeding great reproach and detriment of his Cause; Therefore for the better
discerning the truth & sincerity of the Repentance of these who desire to be admitted
to the Covenant and Communion, it is appointed and ordained that none of the

persons who are debarred from the Covenant and Communion, shall be received and
admitted thereunto, but such as after trial shall be found for some competent time
either before or after the offer of their Repentance, according to the discretion of the
respective Judicatories, to have in their ordinary conversation given real testimony of
their dislike of the late unlawful Engagement, and of all the courses and ways of
Malignants, and of their sorrow for their accession to the same, and to live godly,
righteously, & soberly &c. And reason also proves the same point, for whether we
take Publick Repentance in reference to the removing of scandal and offence given to
the Kirk, or in reference to the absolution of the party from the guilt of the same
intimated to him by the Minister as the servant of Christ, and in the Name of Christ,
on his Repentance; it must always be understood of such a profession of Repentance,
as doth evidence the reality and humility thereof in outward fruits; for a real scandal
cannot be removed by a bare and verbal profession without fruits; neither can a
minister with any persuasion of conscience make any intimation of mercy and pardon
to him of the reality and sincerity of whose profession he hath no testimony in his
carriage and conversation. Yet notwithstanding of these things many scandalous
persons of all sorts, especially these who were profane Malignants disaffected to the
Work of GOD and his people this last year, have been admitted to Publick
Repentance, on bare convictions of Repentance and sorrow, without any real evidence
and fruit thereof in their carriage and conversation; nay, in many of them there was
presumptions in the contrary; which as it hath proven a snare to their souls, so hath it
exceedingly provoked God, and stumbled the godly, and rendered Kirk Censures and
Publick Repentance base and contemptible.

The third consequence is, That the Sacrament of the LORD'S Supper hath been
fearfully polluted and profaned, by the promiscuous admitting of many scandalous
and ignorant persons thereto: The truth whereof in the matter of fact, as it hath been
the constant burden and complaint of all the godly Ministers and {27} people
in Scotland these many years past; so it hath been, oft confessed in the Causes of
solemn Fasts, and publick Humiliation and particularly in that publick
Acknowledgement of Sin that was made by the Kirk of Scotland, in the year 1648.
That it may be the better understood and taken up; ye would consider first what
persons by the Word of GOD, and doctrine of the Kirk of Scotland, are to be debarred
from, or admitted to the Sacrament of the Lord's Supper; how the rule of the Word
and constitutions of the Kirk are kept in this particular. For the first, it is clear from
the Word of God, and the Doctrine of the Kirk of Scotland, that all scandalous and
ignorant persons ought to be debarred from the Sacrament of the Lord's Supper, and
that none ought to be received and admitted thereunto, but such who do not only know
and make profession of the Gospel, but walk suitable thereunto. The Apostle Paul in
the 1 Cor. 1 1.28, appoints that a man must first examine himself, and so eat. And he
also saith, That he who comes to that Sacrament, must be one who discerns the Lord's

Body; otherwise, that he eats and drinks damnation to himself; and he further adds,
That this must be done in remembrance of JESUS CHRIST, to shew forth his death
till he come again; and therefore such as by reason of their ignorance cannot examine
themselves, nor discern the Lord's Body, nor knows not what it is to shew forth the
Lord's death, ought not to come. This same duty of examination, discerning the Lord's
Body, which the Apostle calls for, doth also debar scandalous persons, and admit of
none but such who walk orderly according to the Gospel, because the examination
here required, must be according to the nature of the Ordinance of the Lord's Supper,
to wit, whether they be worthy or not, that is, whether they have repentance or not;
For he that comes without it, is unclean, and so pollutes the Ordinance; as also
whether he hath faith or not, without which, there can be no discerning of the Lord's
Body, nor shewing forth his death; and whether they have love or no, without which,
there can be no Communion with CHRIST and his Members in that Ordinance. The
Confession of Faith of the Kirk of Scotland, [Chapter 23] Entitled, To whom
Sacraments appertain, speaks thus: "But the Supper of the Lord (we confess) to
appertain to such only as be of the household of Faith, and can try and examine
themselves, as well in their faith as in their duty to their neighbour;" but if such
persons ought {28} not to come, and if the Sacraments do not appertain to them, there
can be no question, but if they presume to come, they ought to be debarred, it being a
trust committed to the Officers of the Kirk, both in the Old and New Testament, to
keep the charge of the holy things, and to take heed that his Ordinances be not
polluted and profaned, and to separate the precious from the vile. Levit. 10.10, That ye
may put a difference betwixt the holy and unholy, betwixt the clean and unclean. 2
Chron. 23.19, And he set the porters at the gates of the house of the Lord, that none
who was unclean, in any thing, should enter in. Ezek. 22.26,They have put no
difference betwixt the holy and profane, neither have they shewed difference betwixt
the clean and the unclean. Ezek. 44.7, In that ye have brought into my sanctuary
strangers uncircumcised in heart, and uncircumcised in flesh, to be in my sanctuary to
pollute it, even my house, when ye offer my bread, the fat and the blood, and they have
broken my Covenant, because of all your abominations, and ye have not kept the
charge of my holy things, but ye have set keepers of my charge in my sanctuary for
yourselves. Matt. 7.6, Give not that which is holy unto dogs, neither cast ye your
pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn again and rend
you. 1 Cor. 5.13, But them that are without God judgeth; therefore put away from
amongst yourselves that wicked person. Titus 3.10, A man that is an heretic, after the
first and second admonition, reject. Rev. 2.10, Nevertheless I have a few things
against thee, because thou sufferest that woman Jezebel, which calleth herself a
prophetess, to teach & seduce my servants to commit fornication, and to eat things
sacrificed to idols. Jer. 15.19, If thou take forth the precious from the vile, thou shalt
be as my mouth: let them return unto thee, but return not thou unto them. The
Direction for the Publick Worship of God throughout the three Kingdoms, in the Head

concerning the Celebration of the Lord's Supper, asserts, that the ignorant &
scandalous are not to receive the Sacrament. And the Large Catechism asserts, That
such as are found to be ignorant & scandalous, notwithstanding their profession of
faith and desire to come to the Lord's Supper, may & ought to be kept from that
Sacrament, by the power which Christ hath left in his Kirk, until they receive
instruction, and manifest their reformation: And the Confession of Faith
condescended on by the Assembly of Divines, and approven by the Kirk of Scotland,
in the Chapter {29} of the Lord's Supper, saith, That all scandalous and ignorant
persons, as they are unfit to enjoy Communion with CHRIST, so are they unworthy of
the Lord's Table, and so cannot without great sin against CHRIST (whilst they remain
such) partake of the holy Mysteries, or be admitted thereto. And for proof thereof,
citeth these Scriptures, 1 Cor. 11.27-29, Wherefore whosoever shall eat this bread,
and drink this cup of the Lord unworthily, shall be guilty of the body and blood of the
Lord: But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of
that cup: For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation
to himself, not discerning the Lord's body. 2 Cor. 5.14-16, For the love of Christ
constraineth us, because we thus judge, That if one died for all, then were all dead;
and that he died for all, that they which live, should not henceforth live to themselves,
but to him that died for them, and rose again. Wherefore henceforth know we no man
after the flesh; yea, though we have known Christ after the flesh, yet we henceforth
know him no more. 1 Cor. 5.6,7 ', Know ye not, that a little leaven leaveneth the whole
lump? Purge out therefore the old leaven, that ye may be a new lump, as ye are
unleavened. For even Christ our passover is sacrificed for us. Verse 13, But them that
are without, God judgeth: Therefore put away from among yourselves that wicked
person. 2 Thess. 3.6,14,15, Now we command you, brethren, in the Name of our Lord
Jesus Christ, That ye withdraw yourselves from every brother that walketh disorderly,
and not after the tradition which he received of us. And if any man obey not our word
by this Epistle, note that man, and have no company with him, that he may be
ashamed. Yet count him not as an enemy, but admonish him as a brother. Matt.
7.6, Give not that which is holy unto dogs, neither cast ye your pearls before swine,
lest they trample them under their feet, and turn again and rend you.

As to the other, how the Rule of the Word, and Constitutions of this Kirk are kept in
this particular, it needs not much be spoken, the transgression being so palpable &
common that they who runs may read, these particular faults may be taken notice of in
order to this point: (1.) To say nothing, that in some places, few or none at all are
excluded for ignorance, but that persons being once come to such an age, are
admitted, and being once admitted, are never again excluded: There is in many
Congregations little or no care to {30} examine, or take any notice of the knowledge
of all persons indifferently, something being done in reference to servants, and these
of the poorer sort, but masters of families and those of the richer sort for the most part

neglected, taking it for granted (as it were) that they have knowledge, when indeed
many of them are grossly ignorant, and ought because of their ignorance to be
debarred. (2.) That the bare repeating of the Lord's Prayer, the Belief, or ten
Commandments, or answering a Question or two of the Catechism by rot[e]-rime (as
we say) when nothing of the meaning is understood, is by many taken for knowledge
sufficient. (3.) There is not sufficient care to take notice of all scandals and scandalous
persons, in which respect there is a twofold gross neglect: [1.] That the scandal of
omission of Duty is not taken notice of, as well as the scandal of commission of sin,
notwithstanding that the Acts and Constitutions of the Kirk make express provision
for the one aswell as for the other, as may be seen in their Acts against these who
absent themselves on the Lord's day from the Publick Worship of God, and against
masters of families who neglect to pray in their family, and others of that nature. [2.]
The many scandals of commission are also neglected, it being a custom in many
Congregations to take notice only of Fornicators and Adulterers, and workers on the
Lord's day, and such as these; but do neglect Tipplers, Drunkards, Swearers, Liars,
Deceivers of their Neighbors, Fighters, Oppressors, Extortioners, Covetous persons,
and many others who walk contrary to the Gospel; whereas it is expressly provided by
the Discipline of this Kirk, in the year 1587, that if the Eldership perceive any thing in
the Congregation either evil in the example, or scandalous in manners, and not
beseeming their profession, whatsoever it be that may spot the Christian
Congregation, yea rather whatsoever is not to edification, ought not to escape
admonition or punishment, or higher degree of Kirk-Censure, as 2 Cor. 2.6, Sufficient
to such a man is this punishment which was inflicted of many. (4.) That many such as
have been judicially convicted of scandalous faults, are pressed and received into a
publick profession of Repentance, when as indeed there is no real evidences of
Repentance, yet by a profession thereof are put in a capacity to come to the Lord's
Table: By these ways it comes to pass that many ignorant and scandalous persons are
admitted who ought to be excluded; which certainly is a fearful sin, as may appear in
these and many other respects: {31 } [1.] It hinders many poor souls from searching
after knowledge, and from departing from iniquity, and hardens them in their
ignorance and lewdness. [2.] It causeth them to profane the precious blood of the
Covenant, and to eat and drink damnation to themselves. [3.] It makes the ignorant
and scandalous promiscuously partakers of the seals of the Covenant of Grace with
the truly godly. [4.] It provokes the Lord to depart from his Ordinances, and forsake
his Temple, because of such dishonour to his Name. [5.] It brings on the judgment of
God on particular persons and the whole Land. [6.] Lastly, it grieves and stumbles the
godly amongst ourselves, and exposes ourselves and the Ordinances of Christ therein,
to contempt and reproach amongst others.

The Fourth Consequent which is named to follow on the resting upon outward and
bare forms, is the keeping in of many continually & openly profane in the fellowship

of this Kirk, by which is meant the neglect of casting out such from the fellowship of
the kirk by the sentence of excommunication; for certainly these who do willfully
continue in their ignorance from year to year, slighting the means of knowledge, and
refusing to be instructed, or to learn the way of the Lord: And these who do continue
in an open course of profanity, making a profession of repentance, and still persisting
in their wicked way after sufficient pains taken on them, and their slighting other
inferior Kirk Censures, ought to be casten out as dry and withered, corrupt and rotten
branches, and not to be looked as Members of the Kirk of GOD. Num. 15.30, But the
soul that doth ought presumptuously, whether he be born in the Land, or a stranger;
the same reproacheth the Lord, and that soul shall be cut off from amongst his
People. Psalm 50.16,17, But to the wicked God saith, What hast thou to do to declare
my Statutes, or that thou shouldest take my Covenant in thy mouth, seeing thou hatest
instruction and casteth my Words behind thee? Matt. 18.18, Verily I say unto you,
Whatsoever you shall bind on Earth, shall be bound in Heaven. And therefore it is
provided in the old Acts of the Assembly of this Kirk, that who will stubbornly remain
ignorant in the principal points of Salvation, shall be Excommunicated: And that
every Master of Family shall be commanded, either to instruct his Children and
Servants, or cause them be instructed; and if they will not, the Kirk shall proceed
against them. The General Assembly at Edinburgh in the year 1648, in the Overtures
for the remedy {32} of Grievances and common sins of the Land, provided, That
persons often guilty of gross scandals, be Excommunicated more summarily than
ordinary Process, except there be more than ordinary signs & an eminent measure of
repentance, made known to the Sessions and Presbytery. Besides these four, the
Article also mentions many other sad and fearful consequents unto the profaning of all
the Ordinances of God, and rendering them bare, barren and fruitless to us. And there
is no question, but that formality in profession, and resting upon, and idolizing
outward and bare forms, brings out many sad consequents besides these; such as the
slighting by many, and mocking by some, the work of the Spirit, not seeking after
communion and fellowship with God in Ordinances, not studying to know, and be
humbled for the iniquity of our Holy things, not seeing a need, and employing of
JESUS CHRIST for strength, and acceptance in all our performances; and turning the
living God to a dumb Idol: and many others that are mentioned and spoken to, in that
Paper published by the Commission, concerning the contempt of the Gospel.

The Fourth Article.

The fourth Article hath two parts; the first whereof relates to the neglect of Family-
worship: which though it be a grievous sin, which provokes the Lord to pour out his
wrath on a People, Jer. 10.25, Pour out thy fury on the Heathen that know thee not,

and on the families that call not on thy Name. Yet there be many Masters of Families
amongst all ranks of persons, Noblemen, Barons, Gentlemen, Burgesses, Commons,
and even some Ministers who lie under the guilt; nay, there be but few in which the
plurality will not be found to neglect, or never to have practiced the Duty: Instance is
given in the Article of Great men, (Nobles, Barons, Gentlemen and Burgesses of
special note) because very few are to be found amongst these who make conscience to
call on the Lord's Name in their Families, some of them turning over the Duty wholly
on a Chaplain, or some other person in the Family; and others of them having no such
Duty in their Families performed at all, either by themselves, or by any other, they
being either unable, or ashamed and unwilling to do it; whereas great and eminent
persons have accounted it their duty and glory, and have followed it with much
conscience and care, as may be instanced in Abraham, Gen. 18.19, For I know him,
that he will command his children, {33 } and his household after him, and they shall
keep the way of the Lord, to do justice and judgment, that the Lord may bring
on Abraham that which he hath spoken of. And in Joshua, 24.15, And if it seem evil
unto you to serve theLORD, choose you this day whom ye will serve, whether the gods
that your fathers served who were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of
the Amorites in whose Land ye dwell: but as for me, and my house we will serve
the LORD. And in David, 2 Sam. 6.20, Then David returned to bless his household.
This woeful neglect of so necessary and profitable a duty, especially in the Families of
great Ones, usually attended with the neglect of catechising and instructing of
Children and Servants, in the way of the Lord, and pressing and exercising them unto
Prayer and other religious Duties, as it is a great sin before God, the height whereof is
increased by their continuing therein, after solemn publick confession thereof, and
engaging to the contrary, in the year 1648, and is expressly to be seen in the solemn,
publick confession of sins, and engagement to duties; so it is the cause of much
ignorance of God, Atheism and looseness, profanity, disorder and discontent that is in
Families: and not only proves a hindrance to the spreading of piety amongst others
who walk after their example, but also stops the course of the Lord's blessings on
themselves and on their Families, and brings down upon them many judgments and
curses from the Lord. The other part of the Article relates to the loathing and hating of
godliness, and the reproaching, reviling, oppressing and persecuting the godly: A sin,
as it is great in itself, Gen. 21.9, And Sarah saw the son o/Hagar the Egyptian which
she had born unto Abrahamraoc&mg. Gal. 4.28, Now we, brethren, as Isaac was, are
the children of promise: But as then he who was born after the flesh, persecuted him
who was born after the Spirit, even so it is now. Psalm 14.6, Ye have shamed the
counsel of the poor; because the Lord is his refuge. Isa. 8.18, Behold, I and the
children whom the Lord hath given me, are for signs, and for wonders in Israel, from
the Lord of Hosts who dwelleth in Mount Sion. Acts 9.4, And he fell to the earth, and
heard a voice saying to him, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou mel And draws down a
recompence of tribulation from the Lord. 2 Thess. 1.6, Seeing it is a righteous thing

with the Lord to recompence tribulation to them which trouble you: so it seems to be a
monstrous sin amongst a People, making profession of Reformation, and who are
{ 34 } so often covenanted to God in so solemn a way, and yet hath it prevailed and
abounded exceedingly this year bygone, in Court, in Country, in Cities, in
Judicatories, in the Army, and every where throughout the Land; A man was made an
offender for a word, and he that departed from iniquity, made himself a prey . It was
quarrel enough, not to have run with others to the same excess of riot: They who
would not be disaffected and dissolute, behooved to be esteemed enemies to their
Country: they who studied to make conscience of holy Duties, and keep their
integrity, were slandered as Sectaries, and compilers with Sectaries, and were not only
exposed to the scourge of tongues, but also to the violence and oppression of
malignant, graceless and profane men: Neither were Magistrates and Ministers free of
this sin, but even sundry of these who ought to have protected, encouraged and
countenanced the godly, were as pricks in their eyes, and thorns in their sides, not
only by withdrawing their countenance from them, giving way to others, to revile,
oppress and persecute them, but by employing their own gifts and power in
Judicatories, and Pulpits, and other- ways, for keeping them down, and making them
hateful and odious to others amongst whom they live. And whilest we are speaking of
these things, We cannot but mention the great prejudice and enmity which many
Ministers had against the exercises of godliness and duties of mutual edification,
together with the great blot brought upon piety, and the great blow given to the
exercise of godliness by the Act of the Assembly at Aberdeen, not repented of by the
Kirk of Scotland, nor repealed to this day: and the great neglect of the duties of
mutual edification amongst the Lord's Ministers and People, after there was allowance
given for the same by the following Assemblies, and the suffering of many giftless
and unprofitable Ministers not gifted of God to edify his People, to continue in the
Ministry; whereby it comes to pass that many gracious People were necessitated either
to want edification in the Publick Ordinances, or to fall under the censure of such Acts
made against such as did usually withdraw from the Ordinances and Ministry of their
own Parish Churches. This sin of hating and bearing down the power of godliness,
and persecuting the godly, was accompanied with another, which is mentioned also in
the Article, to wit, The countenancing and employing the ungodly and profane, a thing
that the godly man's soul abhorred, Psalm 26.1-4, {35 } Judge me, O Lord, for I have
walked in mine integrity, I have trusted also in the Lord, therefore I shall not slide.
Examine me, O Lord, and prove me, try my heart and my reins; For thy loving
kindness is before mine eyes, and I have walked in thy truth. I have not sat with vain
persons, neither will I go with dissemblers, &c. And so throughout the
Psalm. Psalm 101.4,5, Afroward heart shall depart from me: I will not know a wicked
person. Whoso privily slandereth his neighbour, him will I cut off: Him that hath a
proud heart, and an high look will I not suffer. Psalm 139.21-23, Do not I hate them,
O Lord, that hate thee? And am not I grieved with these that rise up against thee? I

hate them with perfect hatred: I count them mine enemies. Search me, O Lord, and
know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts. And yet, hath it not gotten great
footing amongst us, and made wicked men get up the head, and wickedness to grow
and abound everywhere? The wicked walk on every side, when the vilest men are
exalted, Psalm 12, last verse.

5. Article.

THE fifth Article speaks of Covetousness and Oppression, the one as the root, the
other, as the fruit and effect thereof. We need not to insist to shew what a sin the love
of the World and Covetousness is, the Scriptures hold it forth as Idolatry, Col.
3.5, Mortify therefore your members which are on the earth, fornication, uncleanness,
inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness which is Idolatry, as the
root of all evil. 177m. 6.10, For the love of money is the root of all evil, which while
some men have coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves
through with many sorrows: As that which is inconsistent with the love of God,
1 John 2.15, Love not the World, neither the things that are in the world. If any man
love the World, the love of the Father is not in him. As that which makes the Lord
wroth with men: Isa. 57.17, For the iniquity of his covetousness was I wroth, and
smote him: I hid my self and was wroth, and he went on frowardly in the way of his
heart. And to abhor them, Psalm 10.3, The wicked boasteth of his heart's desire, and
blesseth the covetous whom the Lord abhor reth. As that which brings the curse of
God on them and on their families, Hab. 2.9-1 1, Woe to him that coveteth an evil
covetousness to his house, that he may set his {36} nest on high, that he may be
delivered from the power of evil. Thou hast consulted shame to thine house, by cutting
off many people, and hast sinned against thy soul. For the stones shall cry out of the
wall, and the beam out of the timber shall answer it. And though it have in it all these
and many other mischiefs and evils, yet hath it taken hold on, and doth cleave closely
to many of all ranks in the Land in their carriage and actings: Do not the Body of the
People spend their time in seeking after the things of a present world; and according
as they prosper, or are crossed in these things, accordingly do they think themselves
happy or miserable. And there be Ministers not a few, that as they entered, so do they
follow the work of the Ministry for the things of a present world, and are more for
caring for these things, than for the souls committed to their charge, and more eager in
pursuing an increase and augmentation in these things, than in pursuing the things that
concern the beating down of Satan's Kingdom, and the promoving of the Kingdom of
the Lord JESUS CHRIST. And hence also it is as from a main cause that Ministers
not a few, prove unfaithful in their duty, and unsuitable in a day of temptation, rather
choosing to forbear to reprove and censure the faults of these who may bring

prejudice to them in things worldly, rather than to offend them, and rather choosing to
become neutral and indifferent, or comply with evil courses, than to hazard the loss of
their stipends, but especially the sad and woeful fruit of this woeful evil appears in
Masters to their servants, Landlords to their Tenents, Magistrates and Rulers to these
over whom they bear rule, Judges to these who come before them, Advocates and
Procurators to their Clients; Clerks, Commissars and Collectors to these with whom
they have to do; Officers and Soldiers in the Country where they bear charge, yea and
amongst the Commons themselves, where they have any power one over another; The
Lord hath forbidden to oppress an hired servant, and hath commanded at his day to
give him his hire: Deut. 24.14,15, Thou shalt not oppress an hired servant that is poor
and needy, whether he be of thy brethren, or of thy strangers that are in the land
within thy gates, at his day thou shalt give him his hire, neither shall the sun go down
upon it: for he is poor and needy, and setteth his heart upon it, lest he cry unto the
Lord against thee, and it be sin unto thee. Yet behold, the hire of the labourer is by
many Masters kept back violently & fraudulently, and this crieth {37} unto Heaven,
and is entered into the ears of the Lord of hostsjames 5.4, Behold, the hire of the
labourer which have reaped down your fields, which is of you kept back by fraud,
crieth; and the cries of them which have reaped, have entered into the ears of the
Lord of sabbath. The oppression of Landlords to their Tenents, are so many and so
exorbitant, that they cannot easily be reckoned, the Lands for the most part set by
them at a dearer rate than the Tenents can pay the Duty, and live in any tolerable
condition themselves; and therefore are they forced with their wives and children to
drudge continually in the earth from morning till evening; by which it comes to pass,
that their lives is but a kind of lasting bondage and slavery, and that they have neither
time nor encouragement for serving and seeking GOD themselves in their Families, or
for breeding their children in knowledge, virtue and piety. Secondly, Beside the Rent
of the Land condescended on, they also lay on them many burdens and taxations in an
arbitrary way by their Bailiffs and Courts, and otherways at their pleasure, such as
services of all sorts beyond paction and agreement, and quarterings; and beside the
putting out of the Foot, and the burden thereof, sometime the burden of putting out the
Horse, and the bearing of a great part, or the whole Monthly Maintenance and Cess.
Thirdly, The giving of short Leases of Lands, and removing them therefrom, and
taking away what they have when they grow poor, and are not able to pay, or else if
they thrive, by heightening and augmenting their Farms and Rent, by which means it
hath in the righteous judgment of GOD, occasioned that Tenents in many places prove
undutiful to their Masters, and deny to them these things which in conscience and
reason they are obliged to perform. And for the Rulers, albeit we be far from joining
issue with these who from disaffection to the Work of GOD and the Instruments
thereof, did traduce and speak evil of those whom GOD set over us in their charge,
and even in the imposing of the most necessary burdens, and in the most moderate and
equal way, yet we cannot but acknowledge and bemoan the great reproach that hath

been brought on the chief Judicatories of the Land, and on the Work of GOD, by the
selfishness and particularity of some persons of note therein, who not only contrary to
the practice of good Nehemiah, who would not eat the bread of the Governour, took
large allowance for their attendance on Pub lick Affairs: and notwithstanding that they
had sufficient estates of {38} their own, but also abused their power and authority for
exacting and employing sums of Money for themselves, and for their friends and
followers, while in the mean time small regard was had to the condition of these from
whom these sums were exacted, or to the equal supplying of the condition of others,
to whom as much and possibly more in desert and justice was due, as to these to
whom those Moneys were given. We shall not insist on the bribery that hath been
amongst Judges, the cunning, cozenage, and exorbitant pilferings and taking that hath
been amongst Advocates, Procurators, Commissars, Clerks and Collectors: many of
them have made haste to be rich, and have by the Bench, by the Purse, by the tongue
and by the Pen, heaped up much treasure, and made conquest of Lands and Estates,
but with an evil conscience, because it hath been the gain of bribery and injustice and
lying and deceit, violence and oppression; but amongst no sort of persons hath these
sins of covetousness and oppression more appeared and prevailed than amongst many
of the chief Officers and Soldiers in our Armies, insomuch that many of these who
were raised for the Land's protection and defence, have been their intolerable burden
and plague, and have by their most exorbitant, violent, tyrannical and insatiable
exactions, made the lives of the Inhabitants bitter, and a burden to them: What
interverting of Levies, what false Musters, what exorbitant exactions above the Law
for men and horse and Arms; what Quarterings and covetous subtle oppressing
devices of many sorts for getting of Money have been amongst Officers, and what
plundering of Goods, destroying of Corns, taking and robbing of Moneys, railing
upon, and beating and wounding the poor people: what excessive eating and drinking,
and unplacableness in their diet, not satisfying themselves with such fare as people
could afford to them, but killing their Kine and Sheep, and whatever came in their
way: and how many other things of that kind hath been amongst Soldiers, and what
exorbitancies and oppressions, whereof the negligence and over-sight of some great
ones and officers in our Armies, was not the least cause; for they not being able to
shake their hands of dishonest gain themselves, did oftentimes wink at, nay sometimes
obstruct the purging out, and punishing of others; Amongst other effects of
Covetousness, instance is given in the close of the Article of the great Insolencies and
oppression of many in our Armies in England and Ireland, and the {39} fearful
perjuries of the Land in the matter of Valuation and Excise, both of which were
dreadful and horrible provocations: The first of them as it was a grievous burden to
our Brethren in England and Ireland, and did exceedingly stumble them at this Nation
and the Work of GOD in their hands; so we make no question but it is one of the sins
that GOD is pointing at now in a special manner in the rods wherewith he now
chastiseth us. The other of them though little adverted to, or laid to heart, or

acknowledged to this day, yet is a fearful guilt which many in the Land lie under:
How many in the matter of Valuations, that Lands might be valued at a low rate, did
swear falsely? And how many were there who were Instrumental to cause others to
swear falsely? And some Judges for their own advantage and interest, did connive
thereat: And many likewise did swear falsely in exciseable goods. Before we close
what relates to this Article, we desire that these Scriptures may be considered, in
reference to the sins mentioned there, as the fruits of the love of the World and
Covetousness. Job 35.9, By reason of the multitude of oppressions they make the
oppressed to cry, they cry out because of the arm of the mighty, but none saith, where
is God? &c. Psalm 62.10, Trust not in oppression, become not vain in robbery: If
riches increase, set not your hearts on them. Psalm 82.2, How long will ye judge
unjustly, and accept the person of the wicked? Proverb. 14.31, He that oppresseth the
poor, reproacheth his maker; but he that honoureth him, hath mercy on the poor.
Proverb. 15.27, He that is greedy of gain, he troubleth his own house; but he who
hateth gifts, shall live. Proverb. 22.\6,He that oppresseth the poor, to increase his
riches, and he that giveth to the rich, shall surely come to want. Proverb. 28.3, A poor
man that oppresseth the poor, is like a sweeping rain that leaveth no food. Verse
8, He who by usury and unjust gain increaseth his substance, he shall gather it for
him that shall pity the poor. Verse 20, A faithful man shall abound with blessings; but
he who maketh haste to be rich, shall not be innocent. Eccles. 7.7, Surely oppression
maketh a wise man made, and a gift destroy eth the heart. Isa. 1.21-24, How is the
faithful city become an harlot? It was full of judgment, and righteousness lodged in it;
but now murderers: Thy silver is become dross, thy wine mixed with water. Thy
princes are rebellious, and companions of thieves: every one loveth gifts, and
follow eth after rewards: they {40} judge not the fatherless, neither doth the cause of
the widow come unto them. Therefore saith the Lord, the Lord of hosts, the mighty one
of Israel, Ah, I will ease me of mine adversaries, and avenge me of mine enemies. Isa.
3.12-15, As for my people, children are their oppressors, and women rule over them.
O my people, they which lead thee, cause thee to err, and destroy the way of thy paths.
The Lord standeth up to plead, and standeth to judge the people. The Lord will enter
into judgment with the ancients of his people, and the Princes thereof: For ye have
eaten up the vineyard, the spoil of the poor is in your houses. What mean ye that ye
beat my people to pieces, and grind the faces of the poor, saith the Lord God of hosts.
Isa. 5.7, And he looked for judgment, but behold oppression; and for righteousness,
but behold a cry. Verse 9, Of a truth, saith the Lord of Hosts, many houses shall be
desolate, even great and fair without Inhabitant. Verse 23, Which justify the wicked
for reward, & take away the righteousness of the righteous from him. Isa. 10.1,3, Woe
unto them that decree unrighteous decrees, and that write grievousness which they
have prescribed: To turn aside the needy from judgment, and to take away the right
from the poor of my People, that widows may be their prey, and that they may rob the
fatherless. And what will ye do in the day of visitation, and in the desolation which

shall come from far? To whom will ye flee for help? and where will you leave your
glory? Without me they shall bow down under the prisoners, and they shall fall under
the slain: for all this his anger is not turned away, but his hand is stretched out still.
Isa. 33.15, He that despiseth the gain of oppression, that shaketh his hands from
holding of bribes, that stoppeth his ears from hearing of blood, and shutteth his eyes
from seeing evil; He shall dwell on high: his place of defence shall be the munition of
rocks. Jer. 6.6,7, For thus hath the Lord of Hosts said, Hew ye down trees, and cast a
mount against Jerusalem: this is the City to be visited: she is wholly oppression in the
midst of her. As a fountain casteth out her waters, so she casteth out her wickedness:
Violence and spoil is heard in her: before me continually is grief and wounds. Jer.
5.26-29, For amongst my People are found wicked men, they lay wait, as he that
setteth snares; they set a trap, they catch men. As a cage is full of birds, so are their
houses full of deceit: therefore are they become great, and waxen rich. They are
waxen fat, they shine; yea, they overpass the deeds of the wicked: {41 } they judge not
the cause of the fatherless, yet they prosper; and the right of the needy do they not
judge. Shall I not visit for these things, saith the Lord? shall not my soul be avenged
on such a Nation as this? Jer. 22.13-17, Woe to him that buildeth his house by
unrighteousness, and his chambers by wrong: that useth his neighbour 's service
without wages, and gives him not for his work; That saith, I will build me a wide
house, and large chambers, and cutteth him out windows, and it is ceiled with cedar,
and painted with vermilion. Shalt thou reign because thou closest thyself in cedar? did
not thy father eat and drink, and do judgment and justice, and then it was well with
him? He judged the cause of the poor and needy, then it was well with him: was not
this to know me, saith the Lord? But thine eyes and thine heart are not but for thy
covetousness, and for to shed innocent blood, and for oppression, and for violence to
do it. Ezek. 22.13, Behold therefore I have smitten mine hand at thy dishonest gain
which thou hast made and at the blood which hath been in the midst of thee. Verse
29, The People of the Land have used oppression, and exercised robbery, and have
vexed the poor and needy: yea, they have oppressed the stranger wrongfully. Hos.
7.1, When I would have healed Israel, then the iniquity o/Ephraim was discovered,
and the wickedness of Samaria: for they commit falsehood, and the thief cometh in,
and the troops of robbers spoil without. Amos 3.10-1 1, For they know not to do right,
saith the Lord, who store up robbery and violence in their palaces. Therefore thus
saith the Lord God; An adversary there shall be, even round about the Land, and he
shall bring down thy strength from thee, and thy palaces shall be spoiled. Verse
15, And I will smite the winter house with the summer house, and the houses of Ivory
shall perish, and the great houses shall have an end, saith the Lord. Micah 3.11-
12, The Heads thereof judge for reward, and the Priests thereof, teach for hire, and
the Prophets thereof divine for money; yet will they lean on the Lord and say, Is not
the Lord amongst us? none evil can come upon us. Therefore shall Sion for their
sokes be plowed like afield, and Jerusalem shall become heaps, and the Mountain of

the House as the high places of the Forrest. Zeph. 3.1, Woe to her that is filthy and
polluted, to the oppressing City. Verse 3, Her Princes within her are roaring Lions,
her Judges are ravenous [evening] Wolves, they gnaw not the bones till the morrow.
Verse 8, Therefore wait ye upon me, saith {42} the Lord, till I rise up to the prey: my
determination is to gather the Nations, that I may assemble the kingdoms, that I may
pour out on them mine indignation, even all my fierce anger: for all the Earth shall be
devoured with the fire of my jealousy. Zeph. 1.9, In the same day will I punish all
them who leap on the threshold, who fill their masters' houses with violence and
deceit. Exod. 22.21-24, Ye shall neither vex a stranger, nor oppress him: for ye were
strangers in the Land o/Egypt. Thou shalt not afflict any widow, or fatherless child; if
thou afflict them in any ways, and they cry at all unto me, I will surely hear their cry,
and my wrath shall wax hot; I will kill you with the sword, and your wives shall be
widows, and your children fatherless .

The Sixth Article.

The sixth Article relates to the abusing and prostituting the Publick Faith of the
Kingdom, in the way of borrowing of Monies and otherwise: which no question is not
one of the least provoking Publick sins in the Land. As private men ought so far to
have their faith and credit in estimation, for the love of righteousness and truth, as not
to engage the same but when they do sincerely intend, and really endeavour to
perform what they promise: so much more ought publick persons, and the Judicatories
of a Land have such regard to the Publick Faith of a Nation, as not to engage the same
but when there be some real purposes, and honest endeavours to fulfill it: Because the
prostituting and breach of Publick-Faith, as it is an high provocation before God, so it
is a great deal more pernicious, reproachful, slanderous, and injurious, and of a worse
example amongst men, especially when it becomes common and is used as a state
engine, to draw in men's property from them, under a vail and shadow of
righteousness, and is attended with a kind of constraint upon men, to take the Publick
Faith for security, as it was in this Land. Job 15.4, Yea, thou castest off fear, and
restrainest prayer before God. Psalm 37.21, The wicked borroweth andpayeth not
again: but the righteous sheweth mercy and giveth. Isa. 59.12-14, For our
transgressions are multiplied before thee, and our sins testify against us: for our
transgressions are with us, and as for our iniquities, we know them. In transgressing
and lying against the Lord, and in departing away from our God; speaking oppression
and revolt, conceiving and uttering from the heart words of falsehood. And judgment
is turned away backward, {43 } and justice standeth afar off : for truth is fallen in the
street, and equity cannot enter. Yea, truth faileth, and he that departeth from evil

maketh himself a prey. And the Lord saw it, and it displeased him that there was no
judgment.

The Seventh Article.

The seventh Article mentions two sins that many of this Land are guilty of, in their
first taking of the National Covenant, and solemn League and Covenant, and renewing
thereof. The first whereof is, The ignorance that was in many, or the want of the
necessary knowledge of the things contained in the Covenants. The Lord requires of
all those that take an oath, That they do it in judgment, Jer. 4.2, And thou shalt swear,
The Lord liveth in truth, in righteousness, and in judgment, and the Nations shall
bless themselves in him. That is, That they take it with such a measure of discretion,
judgment and understanding, as is needful for men in their station, in order to the
Duty which by their Oath they tie themselves to. But it is beyond question that many
in the Land do swear these Covenants without the knowledge and understanding of
the heads thereof, so far as was needful for them in their station; who when they were
catechized on the particulars, do know little or nothing thereof: Which, no doubt is
one cause why they have so little minded and followed, and do so little mind and
follow the duties contained therein. Jer. 5.4, And I said, Surely these are poor, they
are foolish; for they know not the way of the Lord, nor the judgment of their God. The
other is, The taking of these Covenants without reality and sincerity, in order to the
performance thereof: Which was to swear not in truth, as the Lord requireth. Jer.
4.2, And thou shalt swear, The Lord liveth, &c. not falsely. Hos. 10.4, They have
spoken words, swearing falsely, making a Covenant: thus judgment spring eth up as
hemlock in the furrows of the field. And with an heart that was not right, & therefore
have they not been steadfast in the Covenant. Psalm 78.36,37, Nevertheless, they did
flatter him with their mouth, and did lie to him with their tongues: for their heart was
not right with him, neither were they steadfast in his Covenant. The judgments
therefore mentioned to have been, in some, example; in others, fear; and in not a few,
principles of policy, for attaining their own ends. Other bad principles certainly there
were in sundry persons, beside these, but these are mentioned as the most common,
and which had sway {44} with most of these who were guilty either of ignorance, or
of hypocrisy in the entering into these Covenants. Many did take the National
Covenant, in example of others, it being counted praiseworthy and commendable,
after such a defection as was then in the Land, to engage in such a duty, and to be
reckoned amongst the repairers of the breach: Many did take the solemn League and
Covenant, for fear; because the refusing to take it was attended both with
Ecclesiastical and Civil Censures, and therefore did they rather choose to hazard on
the OATH of GOD, than to run these hazards amongst Men; which doth not yet

condemn the enjoining the taking of these Covenants upon a good and warrantable
principle. It is lawful for the Judicatories of a Kirk and State to enjoin to men
cohabitation with their wives; and to children, obedience to their Parents; to subjects,
obedience to their Magistrates, and suchlike under such respective relations: Yet as
these persons sin against God if they give obedience only from a principle of carnal
fear; neither doth the influence that these relations have on them make the
commanding of these things under these relations to be a sin, because they are in
themselves duties which are commanded of God, the neglect whereof may in regard
of scandal be censured by the Kirk, and in regard of the prejudice that redounds to the
honour of God, and good of our neighbour, be punished by the civil Magistrate. In
taking of both Covenants, though there were many whom a principle of the fear and
love of God did move, yet there were not a few, whom after-discoveries have made
manifest, who were acted thereto by carnal wisdom and policy, for attaining their own
base and corrupt ends, such as riches, places of preferment, and livelihood, and ease;
and hence mainly hath issued that sin which follows in the next Article.

The eighth Article.

The following of the Work of God, pursuing the ends of the Covenant not in a holy
and spiritual way, setting the Lord always before our eyes, and acknowledging him in
all our paths according to the direction given us of God, which hath the promise of the
Blessing, Psalm 37.5, Commit thy way to the Lord, trust also in him, and he shall
bring it to pass. Prov. 3.5,6, Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not to thy
own understanding, in all thy ways acknowledge him and he shall direct thy paths.
But in a carnal politick way abusing God's Interest for our own interest {45 } and ends,
is a fearful transgression, howsoever it is often palliated with specious pretences,
as Jehu his zeal against the house of Ahab 2 Kings 10.16, Come with me, and see my
zeal for the LORD; so they made him ride in his chariot. Yet the Lord doth not suffer
it to go unpunished, Hos. 1.4,5, And the LORD said unto him, Call his Name Jezreel,
for yet a little while and I will avenge the blood of Jezreel on the house of Jehu, and
will cause to cease the Kingdom of the house of Israel. And it shall come to pass in
that day that I will break the bow of Israel in the valley of Jezreel.

1 . Consequent. Two consequents of this carnal way are mentioned, the one is the
walking in the way of our own hearts, more than in the Counsel of God: For when
men's hearts are not single and straight in reference to the glory of God, they love not
to walk according to the simplicity of the Word of God, but turns aside to their
crooked ways, to choose such carnal midses [means] as seem most plausible to their
carnal hearts, for compassing their corrupt ends: a sin that was confessed in the

publick solemn Confession of sins, in the year 1648. And yet never have these
crooked paths been more trodden in, and these counsels of flesh and blood been more
hearkened to, than since that time; which is one of the causes, why the sword doth
abide in our cities, and consume our branches and devours: For this the Prophet
threatens against Israel, because of their own counsels. The other, Trusting more in
the arm of flesh, than in the arm of the Lord; which hath been a constant and
continued sin in this Nation these years past; in doting on multitudes, skill, and
abilities of men, and numbers, and strength of horses; whence have issued the corrupt
mixtures in our Armies and the employing of all ranks of persons, how malignant and
profane soever: what wonder then though our Armies have not prospered? but have
oftentimes met with a curse instead of a blessing. Jer. 17.5,6, Thus saith the Lord,
Cursed be the man that trusteth in man, and maketh flesh his arm, and whose heart
departeth from the Lord, for he shall be like the heath in the desert, and shall not see
when good cometh, but shall inhabit the parched places in the wilderness in a salt
Land, and not inhabited. From this same fountain hath proceeded needless alienation
of mind, and estrangedness of heart, on the least difference in judgment amongst
Brethren, often attended with passion and spleen. Which makes our affection rather to
favour our own image than the Image of Christ in others: {46} and our zeal against
malignancy and error did divers times break forth into bitterness and reproach against
the persons that did turn aside, whereas it ought to have been accompanied with
Christian meekness and compassion.

The Ninth Article.

The Ninth Article specifies one of the greatest and most comprehensive and
provoking sins in this Land, viz. Backsliding and defection from the Covenants, and
our solemn Vows and Engagements. For attaining a right impression thereof, We
desire, That these and other scruples of that kind, may be seriously and impartially
thought on and applied. Prov. 14.14, The backslider in heart shall be filled with his
own ways: and a good man shall be satisfied from himself Jer. 3.20, Surely as a wife
treacherously departeth from her husband, so have you dealt treacherously with me,
O house of Israel, saith the Lord. Jer. 8.4-9, Moreover thou shalt say unto them, thus
saith the Lord, shall they fall, and not arise? shall he turn away, and not return? Why
then is this People of Jerusalem slidden back, by a perpetual backsliding? they hold
fast deceit, they refuse to return. I hearkened and heard, but they spake not aright: no
man repented him of his wickedness, saying, What have I done: everyone turneth to
his course, as the horse rusheth into the battle. Yea, the stork in the Heavens knoweth
her appointed times, and the turtle, and the crane, and the swallow observe the times
of their coming: but my People know not this Judgment of the Lord. How do ye say,

We are wise, and the Law of the Lord is with us: lo, certainly in vain made he it, the
pen of the Scribe is in vain. The wise men are ashamed, they are dismayed and taken;
lo, they have rejected the Word of the Lord, and what wisdom is in them? Hos.
1 1.7, My People are bent to backsliding from me; though they called them to the most
high, none at all would exalt him. Jer. 5.6, Wherefore a Lion out of the forest shall
slay them, and a Wolf of the evening shall spoil them: a Leopard shall watch over
their Cities: every one that goeth out thence, shall be torn in pieces: because their
transgressions are many, and their backslidings are increased. Lev. 26.15-17, And if
ye shall despise my Statutes, or if your soul abhor my judgments, so that ye will not do
all my Commandments, but that ye break my Covenant: I also will do this unto you, I
will even appoint over you terrour, consumption, and the burning-ague, that shall
consume the eyes, and cause sorrow of heart: and ye shall sow {47} your seed in
vain, for your enemies shall eat it. And I will set my face against you, and ye shall be
slain before your enemies: and they that hate you, shall reign over you, and ye shall
flee when none pursueth you. Verse 35, As long as it lieth desolate, it shall rest;
because it did not rest in your sabbaths, when ye dwelt upon it. Deut. 29.23-25, And
that the whole Land thereof is brimstone, and salt, and burning, that it is not sown,
nor beareth, nor any grass groweth thereon, like the overthrow of Sodom &
Gomorrah, Admah, & Zeboim, which the Lord overthrew in his anger & in his wrath:
Even all Nations shall say, Wherefore hath the Lord done this to this Land? what
meaneth the heat of this great anger? Then men shall say, Because they have forsaken
the Covenant of the Lord God of their fathers, which he made with them when he
brought them forth out of the Land of Egypt. 1 Kings 11.11, Wherefore the Lord said
to Solomon, Forasmuch as this is done of thee, and thou hast not kept my Covenant
and my Statutes, which I have commanded thee, I will surely rend the Kingdom from
thee, and will give it to thy servant. 2 Kings 17.15, And they rejected his Statutes and
his Covenant which he made with their fathers, and his Testimonies which he testified
against them, and they followed vanity, and became vain, and went after the heathen
that were round about them, concerning whom the Lord had charged them, that they
should not do like them. Psalm 78.9-1 1, The children of Ephraim being armed and
carrying Bows, turned back in the day of battle. They kept not the Covenant of God,
and refused to walk in his Law: andforgat his works, and his wonders that he had
shewed them. Verse 36, Nevertheless, they did flatter him with their mouths, and lied
to him with their tongues, for their heart was not right with him, neither were they
steadfast in his Covenant. Isa. 24.5,6, The earth also is defiled under the inhabitants
thereof, because they have transgressed the Laws, changed the Ordinances, and
broken the everlasting Covenant. Therefore hath the curse devoured the earth, and
they that dwell therein are desolate: therefore the inhabitants of the earth are burned,
and few men left. Psalm 44.17-20, All this is come upon us; yet have we not forgotten
thee, neither have we dealt falsely in thy Covenant. Our heart is not turned back from
thee; neither have our steps declined from thy way. Though thou hast sore broken us

in the place of Dragons, and covered us with the shadow of death. If we have
forgotten the Name of our God, or stretched our hands to a strange god: Shall not
God search {48} this out? for he knoweth the secrets of our hearts. Psalm 50.16, But
to the wicked, saith God, What hast thou to do to declare my Statutes, or that thou
shouldest take my Covenant in thy mouth? Seeing thou hatest instruction, and castest
my words behind thee. Jer. 1 1.9,10, And the Lord said to me, A conspiracy is found
among the men ofJudah, and amongst the inhabitants of Jerusalem. They are turned
back to the iniquities of their forefathers, which refused to hear my words; and they
went after other gods to serve them: the house of Israel and the house ofJudah have
broken my Covenant which I made with their fathers . Jer. 22.8,9, And many Nations
shall pass by this City, and they shall say every man to his neighbor, Wherefore hath
the Lord done this to this great City? Then they shall answer, Because they have
forsaken the Covenant of the Lord their God, and worshipped other gods and served
them. Ezek. 16.59, For thus saith the Lord God, I will even deal with thee as thou hast
done, which hast despised the Oath, in breaking the Covenant. Hos. 6.7, But they like
men have transgressed the Covenant, they have dealt treacherously against me. Hos.
8.1, Set the Trumpet to thy mouth: he shall come as an Eagle against the house of the
Lord: because they have transgressed against my Covenant, and trespassed against
my Law. Hos. 10.4, They have spoken words, swearing falsely in making a Covenant:
thus Judgment springeth up as Hemlock in the furrows of the field. Rev.
2.5, Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first
works, or else I will come to thee quickly, and remove thy Candlestick out of his place,
except thou repent. This sin is aggravated by several circumstances mentioned in the
Article, which are clear in themselves, and need not to be insisted on: therefore
passing these, we come to speak of the special Heads and Steps that are condescended
on in the Paper.

1. Step. The first is, declining from that purity of conversation, that integrity of heart,
that zeal of God that seemed to be in many at their first entry to the Covenant, and a
falling off into loose walking, self-interest and indifferency. About the time of the first
renewing of the Covenant; there was an sensible change to the better in men's carriage
and conversation; most of all these who joined in opposing the defection; not only
reforming themselves from common and gross sins, such as drunkenness,
uncleanness, swearing, profaning the LORD'S Day, slighting of the Ordinances, self-
seeking, covetousness and oppression, &c. but giving themselves {49} to the Duties
of Religion and Righteousness, such as sobriety, Edifying Discourse, Chaste
behaviour, hallowing of the LORD'S Day, diligent seeking of the LORD in secret and
in their Families, attending on the preaching of the Word as often as opportunity is
offered, liberality, love, charity one towards another, a Publick spirit and zeal for
GOD; but all these things are now decayed in many, and they are again grown as ill if
not worse than before, which as it is an evidence of great unsoundness of heart, so

hath it brought many sad reproaches on the Work of GOD in our hands, and hath
proven a great stumbling block to many in the neighbour Land, to make them averse
therefrom, and hath given them no small advantage to speak both against us and it,
though these, who do reject and speak ill of any part of the precious truth of God be
not to be justified in so doing, yet certainly they are much to be condemned who by
their untender and loose walking minister occasion thereto: Woe to these by whom
offences come.

2. Step. The second Step is the sitting up of many Professors in the Land under the
Gospel, and becoming formal and remiss, not entertaining tenderness and soberness of
mind, a sin that relates especially to the Godly in the Land, not a few of which have
much decayed in former tenderness, and zeal, and diligent seeking of God, and sober
and exact walking, studying to root themselves in the solid knowledge and love of the
truth, and invaluing and improving the Gospel & the means of grace unto a loathing
and denying of themselves, and a growing into and loving and employing of the Lord
Jesus Christ. By which, deadness of spirit hath seized on some, and laziness of spirit
on others; whereby it hath come to pass, that they have been tempted to step out of the
way, and some to turn aside to the left hand, to embrace Malignant courses, and some
to the right hand to embrace errour, whose sin is so much the greater than the sin of
others, by how much their knowledge and the LORD'S loving kindness to them hath
been greater than to others; and this declining of Professors, and falling off from their
first love, if it be not deeply mourned for, and if they do not timeously lament after the
Lord, as it may prove a snare to many more than yet it hath done, so it is like to be
amongst the chief causes that may provoke the Lord to remove his Candlestick from
us, Rev. 2.4,5, Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast {50} left
thy first love: Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent and do the
first works, or else I will come to thee quickly and remove thy Candlestick out of his
place, except thou repent.

3. Step. The third is, the secret falling off of some, and open falling off of many to the
opposite party, after their entering to the Covenant; especially the defection carried on
by James Graham, and his party, and that of the year 1648, by the authors and
abettors of the unlawful Engagement, which particulars are so well known, that we
shall not need to stay upon them. Only we desire that it may be remembered, that as
they were early begun and long in ripening, that of James Graham, having begun in
the year 1639, and ripened till the year 1645, and that some of the chief Authors of the
unlawful Engagement having begun in the year 1644, and ripened till the year 1648,
and did take hold upon, and infect very many of all ranks throughout the Land, so
have they been really and unfeignedly repented of by very few to this day: which we
doubt not is one of the reasons why so many of these who had hand in these bloody
and backsliding courses have fallen by the sword, and are gone into captivity.

4. Step. The fourth Step, is, The neglecting and condemning the purging of
Judicatories, and the Army, in the year 1649, and afterward, from scandalous and
disaffected men, and of constituting the same of men of known integrity and affection
to the Cause, and of a blameless and Christian conversation: That it was a duty so to
have constituted and purged the Judicatories and Armies, ought in reason to be
question by none: it being a duty holden forth in the Word of God, That the Rulers of
thousands, Rulers of hundreds, Rulers of fifties, and Rulers of tens (amongst the
People of God) should not only be able men, but such also as fear God, men of truth,
hating covetousness, Exod. 18.21, Moreover, thou shalt provide out of all the People
able men, such as fear God, men of truth, hating Covetousness; and place such over
them to be Rulers of thousands, Rulers of hundreds, Rulers of fifties, and Rulers of
tens. And let them judge the People at all seasons. Deut. 1.15-17, So I took the chief of
your Tribes, wise men, and known, and made them heads over you, Captains over
thousands, Captains over {51 } hundreds, Captains over fifties, and Captains over
tens, and Officers among your Tribes. And I charged your Judges at that time, saying,
Hear the causes between your brethren, and judge righteously betwixt every man and
his brother, and the stranger that is with him. Ye shall not respect persons in
Judgment, but you shall hear the small as well as the great; you shall not be afraid of
the face of man, for the judgment is God's: 2 Sam. 23.3,4, The God of Israel said, The
Rock of Israel spake to me: He that ruleth over men must be just, ruling in the fear of
God; and he shall be as the light in the morning, when the Sun riseth, even a morning
without clouds; as the tender grass springeth out of the earth by clear shining after
rain. 2 Chr. 19.6-9, And he said to the Judges, Take heed what ye do, for ye judge not
for man; but for the Lord, who is with you in the judgment; wherefore now, let the
fear of the Lord be upon you; take heed and do it, for there is no iniquity with the
Lord our God, nor respect of persons, nor taking of gifts. And he charged them,
saying, Thus shall ye do in the fear of the Lord, faithfully, and with a perfect heart;
and Deut. 23.9, When the host goeth forth against thine enemies then keep thee from
every wicked thing. Therefore were they [that were] unclean by Leprosy, by an Issue,
and by the Dead, to be put out of the Camp. Num. 5.2, Command the children of
Israel, that they put out of the Camp every Leper, and every one that hath an Issue,
and whosoever is defiled by the dead. Deut. 22.10,1 1, Thou shalt not plow with an Ox
and an Ass together. Thou shalt not wear a garment of divers sorts, as of woolen and
linen together; because the Lord their God did walk in the midst of the Camp of his
People, to deliver them, and to give up his enemies before them; therefore was the
Camp to be holy, that he might see no unclean thing in them, & turn away from
them. Deut. 23.14, For the Lord thy God walketh in the midst of thy Camp, to deliver
thee, and give up thine enemies before thee: therefore shall thy Camp be holy, that he
may see no unclean thing in thee, and turn away from thee.

And because this Nation had exceedingly neglected the purging of Judicatories and
Armies, and constituting the same of persons rightly qualified, which was the cause of
many evils of sin and punishment; therefore was this neglect publicly and solemnly
confessed to GOD, and the contrary duty engaged unto, at the renewing {52} of the
Covenant toward the end of the year 1648, as is to be seen in the solemn Pub lick
Confession of sins, and engagement to duties. For rendering of the which effectual,
the Commission of the General Assembly did present many Petitions, Remonstrances
and Warnings from time to time to the Committee of Estates, and to the Parliament,
who did make sundry Laws both for the purging of the Judicatories and Armies which
then were, and for keeping them pure for the time to come, as is to be seen in their
Registers and Acts, Anno 1649 and 1650. And accordingly somewhat was done in that
great and necessary duty by themselves and others, to whom they did commit the
trust, but notwithstanding of all these things, it did appear very soon after the
Confessing of that sin, and engaging to that duty, that many did neither mind
repentance of the one, or performance of the other. Therefore as the Commission of
the General Assembly were necessitated to renew their desires in that particular very
often, and from month to month, so were not these Laws and Committees having
power to execute the same, established without some wrestling and difficulty: not a
few labouring to obstruct and retard the same, and when it came to the execution, with
what neglect and slowness, and partiality, did they proceed therein? And what
impediments did they (who were not diligent) cast in the way of others who were
more diligent and faithful, and zealous in following of the duty? By which it came to
pass, that little could be gotten done in that matter, and what was done was not only
loaded with imputations and reproaches, but also was for the most part made
ineffectual: The persons appointed to be removed, being either kept still, or shortly
thereafter being brought again to their own or some other place, or else as evil being
put in their place. Nay, after the defeat at Dumbar, these duties came not only to be
neglected, but what formerly had been gotten done therein, was looked and cried out
upon, as the cause of the ruin of the Army; and therefore not only these who had been
formerly purged, but all others how malignant and loose soever, were brought to the
Judicatories and Army, and what had formerly been confessed a sin, was then
followed and commended as a duty.

5. Step. The fifth is, The authorizing of Commissioners to close a Treaty with the
King, for the investing him with the Government, {53} upon his subscribing such
demands as were sent to him, after he had given many clear evidences of his dis-
affection and enmity to the Work and people of GOD, and was continuing in the
same; and the admitting of him to the full exercise of his power, and Crowning him
notwithstanding of new discoveries of his adhering to his former Principles and way,
and of many warnings to the contrary. For the better understanding and more full and
clear discovery of this sin, we would consider these things which are set down by the

General Assembly of this Kirk, in their Declaration of the date July 17, 1649, to wit,
that as Magistrates and their power are ordained of GOD, so are they in the exercise
thereof, not to walk according to their own will, but according to the Law of equity
and righteousness, as being the Ministers of GOD for the safety of his people, &c.
Secondly, That there is a continual obligation and stipulation betwixt the King and the
People, as both of them are tied to GOD, so each of them are tied each to other, for the
performance of mutual and reciprocal duties, according to which it is statute and
ordained in the 8th Act of the Parliament of King James the Sixth, That all Kings,
Princes and Magistrates whatsomever, holding their place, which hereafter shall
happen at any time to reign and bear rule over this Realm, at the time of their
Coronation, the receipt of their Princely Authority, make their faithful Promise by
Oath, in the presence of the Eternal GOD, That during the whole course of their lives,
they shall serve the same Eternal GOD to the utmost of their power, according as he
hath required in his Holy Word, contained in the Old and New Testament, and
according to the same Word shall maintain the true Religion of JESUS CHRIST, the
Preaching of his most holy Word, and due and right Administration of the Sacraments
now received and preached within this Realm, and shall abolish and gainstand all false
Religion contrary to the same, and shall rule the People of GOD committed to their
charge, according to the will and command of GOD revealed in his Word, and
according to the laudable Laws and Constitutions received within this Realm, &c.
Thirdly, That in the League and Covenant that had been so solemnly and publicly
sworn and renewed by this Kingdom, the duty of defending and preserving the King's
Majesty's Person and Authority, is joined with, and subordinate to the duty of
preserving {54} and defending the true Religion and Liberty of the Kingdoms.
Fourthly, That an arbitrary Government and an illimited Power was the fountain of
most, if not of all the corruptions both of Kirk and State: And that it was for restraint
of this, and for their own just defence against tyranny and unjust violence (which
ordinarily is the fruit and effect of such power) that the Lord's People did join in
Covenant, and have been at the expenses of so much blood, travails and pains these
years past. Fifthly, That the King being averse from the Work of Reformation, and the
Instruments thereof, and compassed about with Malignant and dis-affected men whom
he hearkens to as his most faithful counsellours, and looks upon as his most loyal and
faithful Subjects, being admitted to the exercise of his power before satisfaction given,
would by these counsels, endeavour an over-turning of these things which the Lord
hath wrought amongst us, and labour to draw Publick Administrations concerning
Religion and the Liberty of the Subject into the course and Channel, in which they did
run under Prelacy, & before the Work of Reformation: Which we had the more cause
to fear, because his Royal Father did often declare, That he conceived himself bound
to employ all the power that God had put in his hands to the utmost, for these ends,
and that he adhered to his Father's principles, and walked in his way, and had made a
peace with the Irish Rebels, by which is granted to them the full liberty of Popery.

From these Principles the General Assembly did then infer, That it would be the
wisdom of every one who dwells in this Land, to take heed to such a temptation and
snare, that they be not accessory to any such designs and endeavours of bringing or
admitting the King to the exercise of his Power, without satisfaction given concerning
the security of Religion, and Liberty of the Subjects, as they would not bring upon
themselves, and on their Families, the guilt of all the detriment that would
undoubtedly follow thereupon to Religion and the Covenant, and of all the miseries
and calamities that it would bring on his Majesty's Person and Throne, and on these
Kingdoms. Such a thing (say they would in all appearance be the under-minding and
shaking off, if not the over-throwing and destroying of the Work of Reformation, and
that therefore whosoever attempts the same, do oppose themselves to the Cause of
GOD, and will at last dash against the rock {55} of the Lord's Power, which hath
broken in pieces many high and lofty ones since the beginning of this Work in these
Kingdoms. From all which it doth appear upon good grounds, that it was an high
provocation, to admit the King to the exercise of his Power, or to entrust him with the
Cause and People of GOD, whilst he was continuing in his former disaffection to, and
enmity against the same; with which sin the Lord hath been so displeased, that he hath
in a great measure verified the same things on the Land which are holden forth by the
General Assembly, and which would be the consequents thereof.

We know that it will be objected by many, That the King did desist from, and abandon
that course of enmity against the Work and People of God, before the close of the
Treaty, and that he did give satisfaction concerning the security of Religion, and
Liberty of the Subjects, by condescending to, and subscribing these demands, which
were sent to him from the Parliament of this Kingdom, and the Commission of the
General Assembly. To which we reply, First, that these demands were deficient, at
least not so plain and positive, and express in the main and necessary thing, to wit, a
real abandoning of former malignant courses and principles, and a real and cordial
cleaving to the Work and people of God, without which there could not be a real
security; it was not a shadow of security for Religion and Liberty, or a paper and
verbal security only, but a real security which we were bound before the Lord to have
endeavoured and obtained before the close of a Treaty with the King, for entrusting
him with the Government, and to authorize Commissioners to settle with him upon
such paper- securities, and accordingly to entrust him, was but to mock God, and to
deceive the World, and to betray and destroy ourselves, by giving up all the precious
Interests of Religion and Liberty into the hands of one who was in a course of enmity
to these. Secondly, it is certain, (if men will not deny clear and evident truths) that the
King had not only (before the authorizing of these Commissioners to close a Treaty
with him upon his condescending to these Demands) given evidence of his enmity to
the Work and people of God, but also was continuing in the same, during the time of
the Treaty, and that he had not abandoned these Principles and courses at the close of

the Treaty; And when he did swear and subscribe {56} the National Covenant, and the
Solemn League and Covenant; Nay, the whole tenour of his carriage, did then, and
afterward convincingly enough (to intelligent men) demonstrate him to be the same he
was before. We shall not need bring many instances, therefore passing over these
things which he did, before this Kingdom began to treat with him, such as the
Declaration emitted by him when he was Prince, against the Cause and People of God,
and his Printed Declaration at Jersey, as King, against all who had been in opposition
to his Father in these troubles: We shall mention only a few particulars that fell out
thereafter, to wit, these: first, he did not only countenance and entertain the most
Capital and known Enemies of this Kingdom, such as James Graham, and others, who
had shed much of the blood thereof, but also did give Commission to the said James
Graham, to make war upon, and invade the Inhabitants thereof, as Traitors and
Rebels. Secondly, in the whole progress of the Treaty, as he did communicate and
take counsel with known dis-affected and malignant men in all things relating to the
same, and not moving a step, but according to their advice, so did he procrastinate and
delay to grant what was desired, until all other means of help had failed, and his own
estate and condition was now become desperate, and what he did grant, was not all at
once, and cheerfully, as if it had been a duty, but by little and little, and by a kind of
coaction and merchandise, as if it had been a bargain of buying and selling. Thirdly,
after the Treaty was brought to some close, he did before his coming to Sea, receive
the Sacrament of the Lord's Supper from one of the Prelatical Chaplains, and
according to the Service-Book notwithstanding the Commissioners of the Kirk did
represent the evil thereof to him, and did earnestly deal with him to the contrary.
Fourthly, he brought to Sea, and into Scotland with him almost the whole Train of
Malignant and dis-affected men, who had followed him in his former evil courses, and
fled from the Justice of both Kingdoms, and these he did more familiarly & entirely
converse with, than with others. Fifthly, he was near the coast of Scotland before he
would condescend to the subscribing of these Demands which were sent from the
Parliament, upon the report of the close of the Treaty, as it was first closed in Holland,
and the Commissioners were so far out of hopes of obtaining their desire, that even
when they were come { 57 } near the shore, they were preparing Papers of exoneration;
and when in an instant on the suggestion of some Malignants, he did condescend to
subscribe the Demands, and take the Covenant; it was with a reserve of a Declaration
to be printed therewith, which he did not pass from until the Commissioners of the
Church did refuse to admit thereof. Sixthly, Within a few days of his coming
to Scotland, when removing Malignants from his Family and Court was earnestly
pressed by the Commissioners both of Kirk and State, at Falkland, he shewed himself
very averse from the same, and did not only at that place, but at all places and times
afterwards countenance and entertain men of that stamp, who were in his Family and
Court, and came to the same. Seventhly, He did for a long time refuse to subscribe the
Declaration which was tendered to him, for the acknowledging of his own, and his

Parents' guiltiness for the time past, and according to his duty for the time to come;
and after that he had, with a great deal of reluctancy, subscribed the same, he did
oftentimes express, That he did not think his Father guilty of blood, and that
notwithstanding he had so declared, he had his own meaning thereof. Eighthly, As he
did first by Letters authorize sundry of the Malignant party to rise in Arms without the
knowledge of the Committee of Estates, and contrary to the standing Laws of this
Kingdom; so did he himself within a short time thereafter, desert the Publick Councils
of the Kingdom, and join with the Malignants. Ninthly, During the whole time of the
Treaty, and after the close thereof, he had correspondence with all the Malignants of
the three Nations, to sundry of which he gave Commissions. These Instances do
clearly enough prove what was said concerning the King's continuing in a course of
enmity to the Work and People of God, which made it a sin in us, whilst he was in
that condition, to entrust him with the Interests of both: neither was our carriage here
more faulty in the matter, than it was rash and precipitant in regard of the manner. The
news of the late King's death, brought to Edinburgh on the Lord's day at night, the
Parliament did the next day before twelve of the clock, proclaim this King with all
publick solemnity, without setting any time apart to seek the Lord for Counsel and
direction therein; which, as both Reason and Religion might have taught us, to have
used more deliberation amongst ourselves, and {58} more supplication to God, before
he (whose Father and himself had been engaged so much in opposition to the Work
and People of God) had been proclaimed King, and within a short time thereafter,
solemn Address was made to him for offering him the Crown and Kingdom upon
some verbal and paper security, without any previous Address for informing his
conscience, or taking notice whether he did adhere to his former principles and way;
and when the Lord was pleased to render these Applications ineffectual, and to bring
back the Commissioners to this Kingdom and Kirk, without any satisfaction to their
desires; we did again no less precipitantly than before, rush on a second Address,
which was at one and the same day concluded and proponed in Parliament, not only
without any previous Consultation or Debate had there anent amongst these who had
been tender and faithful to the Work of God from the beginning, but without their
knowledge, and contrary to their expectation; and afterwards, in regard of the close
and dispatch of Commissioners, which was so passionately and violently driven on,
that many were impatient, even of the most necessary delays, and of the most
reasonable contradiction in any thing that related thereto: and it is not to be past
without observation, that whilst we were treading these slippery and sinful steps, the
Lord suffered not us to want warning. We shall not insist on the sad apprehensions
that were in the hearts of many of the godly in the Land in reference thereto: So albeit
they durst not altogether deny duty to be in making Application to the King, yet did
the sense of the Lord's controversy with him and his house, together with his walking
in his former way, lie heavy on their spirits and made them rather fear a curse, than
expect a blessing thereupon. Nor shall we speak of the passionate inclination, desires,

and endeavours of the Malignant party, and of their rejoicing herein, and of their
heightening of their hopes thereby. But we desire it may be remembered, That whilst
the second Address was in preparing, not only did the Lord give us warning of
presumptions, first of the King his authorizing of James Graham to invade this
Kingdom, and of his encouraging him by Letters to go on in that Invasion, even whilst
he was in terms of a Treaty with Us; but also by James Graham his actual invasion a
little thereafter by the King's Commission, and by bringing to our hands the authentic
Commission itself, and {59} sundry Letters under the King's own hand, testifying his
adherence to his former principles, & his affection to that great Enemy of this Cause
and Kingdom. And what were all these instances which we have formerly spoken of
in the King's carriage, but warnings from the Lord to have taught us wisdom in this
thing? We know that some may think it unsuitable for us to meddle in these things
which seem to have been otherwise determined by the General Assembly of this Kirk,
1650, and that others may wonder that that Assembly should have so determined. We
shall not now stand to debate how far that Assembly did approve of these things
which concern the Treaty with the King, anent the security of Religion: but the Lord
having declared so much from Heaven against the whole Land, it concerns us and all
others impartially to search into, and to discover the causes thereof, so far as he is
pleased to convince and give light therein; and we do in charity, and not without
ground, presume, That if all the passages of procedure of the King's carriage in the
Treaty, and from the beginning in order to this Kingdom, and the enemies thereof, had
been impartially and freely discovered and made known to the Assembly as they have
been since, they had not gone the length which they went.

6. Step. For understanding of the sixth Step, which relateth unto the rejecting the
discovery of guiltiness and causes of the LORD'S contending with us; It will be
needful to speak somewhat for clearing of the matter of fact in the instances which are
given in the Article: The first instance is in the causes of humiliation, condescended
on by the Commission of the General Assembly at Leith, and offered to the
Committee of Estates, by whom they were rejected; the story whereof as to the matter
of fact was thus: The next day after the English forces came in view of our Army,
which was then entrenched betwixtLeith and Edinburgh: Some general persons in our
Army (whether from any desire to approve themselves to the King, who the night
before was come to Leith from Sterlin, or from any other principle, we know not) did
draw forth a great many of the Horse to skirmish with the English, by whom they
were with some loss, and much shame beaten back again to the trenches, which bred
such a disheartening and astonishment in the whole body of the Army, that had the
English then stormed the Trenches, they had belike {60} gained them, and routed our
Army. Upon this occasion, the Commission of the General Assembly gave themselves
to search after the causes of this stroke and spirit of confusion and astonishment from
the LORD, and after some pains taken therein, found that there had been a malignant

design for bringing in again the malignant party of a long time, hatching and carrying
on by sundry in the Judicatories and in the Army, and that it was far promoted and
advanced: And for the more conviction herein, they did condescend on several
Instances and Particulars of moment and consequence: This they offered to the
Committee of Estates as grounds of humiliation to be kept by them and the Army; but
the Committee, as they did refuse to take with any such guiltiness, so did they refuse
to join in any humiliation to be kept for the same. Upon the which the Commission
did leave it before them with a Declaration, That they had exonered themselves, and
with a desire to the Committee of Estates to do therein, as they would be answerable
to GOD, who was contending for these things. The second is the causes of
humiliation, condescended on at Sterlin immediately after the defeat at Dumbar. these
causes which were first condescended on by the Presbytery with the Army, and
afterwards approven by the Commission of the General Assembly did specify
somewhat of the crooked courses which had been taken in carrying on the Treaty with
the King, and of the obstructing the purging of the Army, and of the Judicatories, and
of the King's Family, and of the not differencing of Instruments employed in Publick
trust, and several other things relating to the carriage of these in Publick trust in
Judicatories and Armies, which though real truths in themselves, and just matter of
humiliation before GOD, yet were rejected and not so much as read or intimated by
many Ministers in their Congregations, and were refused to be taken with, or
acknowledged by sundry Statesmen and Officers of the Army, and others, who were
guilty of them. The third Instance is the Remonstrance of the Gentlemen, Ministers
and Forces in the West, which though it was a testimony given in reference to sin and
Duty by a company of men who had been straight from the beginning in the Work of
GOD, in the simplicity of their hearts, and did contain in it many sad truths, yet was
not only rejected, but condemned by the plurality of the {61 } Committee of Estates,
and Commission of the General Assembly, notwithstanding that many of the
Members of both these Judicatories did dissent from, and protest against these voices,
and as if it had not been enough, was again resumed by the Parliament and a most
harsh censure put upon it, and all such as did not disclaim it before such a day,
appointed to be proceeded against with Censures of an high nature; other testimonies
of Presbyteries and Synods beside these are also mentioned, for divers such there was,
as the Letters from the Presbyteries of Sterlin, Aberdeen, Glasgow, Pasley, and
several other Presbyteries and Synods, which were written to the Commission as
testimonies of their dis-satisfaction with the Publick Resolutions concerning the
Leavy, and were rejected, and sundry of the authors thereof sharply rebuked: nay,
some of them discharged to speak their Consciences, and confined in places far distant
from their charge for doing thereof. In the close of this Article there is mention of the
neglecting of means tending to peace, and the preventing the effusion of more blood,
from pride and bitterness of spirit, against these who had invaded us. We know that
before this Kingdom was invaded by these who hath now brought it low, there was a

Letter written by the Parliament to the present power in England, and duplicates
thereof to the General, Lieutenant General, and General Major of their Army, upon
the 22nd of June, 1650, wherein they did shew that as in their Letter of the 6th
of March, 1649, they did acknowledge their obligation, and declare their resolution, to
observe the rule of Remonstrating; first the breaches of Peace for craving just
reparation, of using all fair means of giving a preceding warning of three months,
before any Engagement of these Kingdoms in war, so they do again renew the same,
and accordingly renewed the Acts of Posture and Leavy for putting this Kingdom in
readiness in case of invasion, which were made the former year when they wrote the
foresaid Letter of the 6th of March, all which they do profess solemnly to be done by
them in the sincerity of their hearts; not out of any policy to catch advantages, nor for
any other end or design whatsoever, but merely for their own defence, which they do
account abundantly sufficient to remove all grounds of jealousies, and misreports of
their intentions, and to take away all pretence of necessity of the marching of forces
for defence of the borders of {62} England; and on the other part being informed of a
resolution in England to send an Army to Invade this Kingdom, they desired to know
whether these who have the present power in England do acknowledge themselves
obliged, or by their answer will oblige themselves and declare their Resolutions to
observe the foresaid way and order upon their part to us, and plainly and clearly to
declare, whether their Forces do march for offence or defence, whether with intention
for keeping only within the borders of England or coming within ours, which way of
procedure for clearing each others, and dealing plainly, is not only agreeable to
particular Treaties, and to the many Ties, Bonds and Declarations past betwixt these
Kingdoms, but also to the Law of God, and practice of his People in his Word, and to
the common law and practice, even of heathen Nations, much more of Christian
Covenanted Kingdoms, and may prevent many evils & dangerous consequences,
which may fall out, even beyond and contrary to the intentions of the Nations, by their
Armies lying near others upon their borders, although merely upon intended defence:
This did indeed savour of a spirit of peace; but since the coming of these men into the
Land there hath been such pride and bitterness of spirit, that not only were all essays
of peace neglected, but every motion tending thereto, whether made by any amongst
ourselves, or hinted at by any amongst them, were slighted and some time entertained
with disdain, reproach and contempt; and albeit the invasion was unjust, yet certainly
it was our duty to have followed and endeavoured peace so far as it was
possible, Rom. 12.18, If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all
men. Heb. 12.14, Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man
shall see God. Psalm 120.7, 1 am for peace, but when I speak they are for war.

7. Step. The seventh is, the Publick Resolutions of Kirk and State, for bringing in the
Malignant Party first to the Army, and then to the Judicatories, and the actual
entrusting of them with the power of the Kingdom both Military and Civil; We

conceive that these Publick Resolutions in the complex of them do (besides other sins
which may be mentioned) include these: First, a conjunction with the Enemies of God
and his Cause, which is condemned by many clear Scriptures, 2 Chron. 19.1,2, And
Jehoshaphat {63} the King ofJudah returned to his house in peace to Jerusalem, and
Jehu the son ofHanani the seer, went out to meet him, and said to King Jehosaphat,
Shouldst thou help the ungodly, and love them that hate the LORD? therefore is wrath
on thee from before the Lord. Isa. 30.1-3, Woe to the rebellious children, saith the
LORD, that take counsel but not of me; and that cover with a covering, but not of my
Spirit, that they may add sin to sin: That walk to go down to Egypt (and have not
asked at my mouth) to strengthen themselves in the strength of Pharaoh, and to trust
in the shadow of Egypt; Therefore shall the strength of Pharaoh be your shame, and
the trust in the shadow of Egypt your confusion. Isa. 31.1-3, Woe to them that go down
to Egypt for help, and stay on horses, and trust in chariots, because they are many,
and in horsemen, because they are very strong, but they look not to the holy one of
Israel, neither seek the LORD: Yet he also is wise, and will bring evil, and will not
call back his words: But will arise against the house of the evil doers, and against the
help of them that work iniquity: Now the Egyptians are men and not GOD, and their
horses flesh and not spirit; when the LORD shall stretch out his hand, both he that
helpeth shall fall, and he that is holpen shall fall down, and they all shall fall together.
Jer. 2.18, And now what hast thou to do in the way of Egypt, to drink the waters of
Sihor? or what hast thou to do in the way of Assyria, to drink the waters of the
river? Jer. 13.21, What wilt thou say when he shall punish thee? (for thou hast taught
them to be captains, and as chief over thee) shall not sorrows take thee as a woman in
travail? (2.) The laying of a foundation of, or the establishing of a rule for employing
and entrusting men with the interest of the Cause of GOD and of the Kingdom, who
ought not to be employed nor entrusted, if respect be had to the qualifications required
in the Word, viz. That they be men fearing GOD, hating covetousness and dealing
truly, who are appointed to be rulers over thousands, hundreds, fifties, and tens, Exod.
18.21, Moreover thou shalt provide out of all the people, able men, such as fear GOD,
men of truth, hating covetousness; and place such over them; to be rulers of
thousands, and rulers of hundreds, rulers of fifties and rulers of tens ;and that they be
just, ruling in the fear of God who rules over men. 2 Sam. 23.3, The GOD of
Israel {64} said, the Rock of Israel spake to me, He that ruleth over men must be just,
ruling in the fear of God. (3.) That there was therein a breach and violation of the
fourth Article of the Covenant, which obligeth that we be so far from giving trust to
Malignants, that they should endeavour to bring them to condign punishment. (4.)
That there was therein a manifest receding from the solemn publick confession of
sins, and engagement to duties, and from the constant tenor of our Declarations,
Warnings, and Remonstrances and causes of humiliation these years past. Jer. 2.35-
37, Yet thou sayest, Because I am innocent, surely his anger shall turn from me:
Behold I will plead with thee, because thou sayest I have not sinned. Why gaddest

thou about so much to change thy way: thou also shalt be ashamed of Egypt, as thou
wast ashamed of Assyria; yea, thou shalt go forth from him, and thine hands upon
thine head: for the Lord hath rejected thy confidences, and thou shalt not prosper in
them. (5.) That there was a great deal of diffidence, and distrust in the Arm of the
LORD, and a seeking of help from, and a resting on the arm of flesh; Jer. 17.5,6, Thus
saith the Lord, Cursed be the man that trusteth in man, and maketh flesh his arm, and
whose heart departeth from the LORD: for he shall be like the heath in the desert, and
shall not see when good cometh, but shall inhabit the parched places in the
wilderness, in a salt land and not inhabited. (6.) That there was therein a great deal of
prevarication and deceitful dealing by many, Jer. 5.2,3, And though they say the Lord
liveth, surely they swear falsely. O Lord, are not thine eyes upon the truth? thou hast
stricken them, but they have not grieved, thou hast consumed them, but they have
refused to receive correction, they have made their faces harder than a rock, they
have refused to return: Because albeit the arguments that were used, were taken from
necessity and other things of that kind, yet the great wheel that moved in that
business, was a design to bring in that party into places of power and trust into the
Army, who had been formerly put out for their malignant and disaffected carriage,
and thereafter, albeit in the beginning of this business so great haste was pretended,
that they could not wait for a very few days, till the Commission might convene, but
made use of a unfrequent and occasional meeting, when not only many of the
Members were absent, but also not advertised; yet when that which {65} was aimed at
concerning the Modeling of the Army was obtained they did move but very slowly,
and Acted nothing at all for many months thereafter; nay, not till long after the Army
was completely Leavied, and until they had gotten the Act of Classis also rescinded,
and that Party brought to the Parliament aswell as to the Army, and until the General
Assembly did sit down, that they might have their approbation of these proceedings so
far as was fit for them to meddle with. (7.) There was in it a real stumbling and
offence to the most part of the godly in the Land, whose hearts were much grieved,
and their hands exceedingly weakened thereby, together with the making glad and
strengthening the ungodly, and disaffected and profane in the Land, Jer. 23.14, / have
seen also in the Prophets of Jerusalem an horrible thing, they commit adultery and
walk in lies; they strengthen also the hands of evil doers, that none doth return from
his wickedness; they are all to me as Sodom, and the inhabitants thereof as
Gomorrah. Ezek. 13.22, Because with lies ye have made the hearts of the righteous
sad, whom I have not made sad; and strengthened the hands of the wicked, that he
should not return from his wicked works, by promising him life. Lastly, the state of our
Cause was thereby upon the matter turned upside-down by entrusting the Work and
people of God to the enemies thereof, it being known and made manifest that these
men did retain the same principles, and did drive on the same designs which could not
but prove destructive to Religion & the People of God.

8. Step. The next Step, is, The joining of many of the People (who are engaged with
God by Covenant to the contrary, no less than the Rulers) with the Forces of the
Kingdom; after that by the Resolutions there was a prevailing party of malignants
brought to the Army, who had the strength of Counsels and Actings therein, and were
carrying on a malignant interest; whatever question there may be of the associating of
subjects in war with the wicked enemies of God, on the command of the Magistrate in
a lawful cause, which seems to us to be condemned in the People of God, Isa. 8.1 1-
18, For the Lord spake thus to me with a strong hand, and instructed me, that I should
not walk in the way of this people, saying, Say ye not a Confederacy to all those to
whom this People shall say, a Confederacy; neither fear ye their fear, nor be afraid.
Sanctify the Lord of Hosts Himself, and let {66} Him be your fear, and let him be your
dread. And he shall be for a sanctuary; but for a stone of stumbling, and for a rock of
offence to both the houses of Israel, for a gin, and for a snare to the inhabitants of
Jerusalem, and many among them shall stumble and fall, and be broken, and be
snared, and be taken. Bind up the Testimony, seal the Law among my Disciples. And I
will wait upon the Lord that hideth his face from the house of Jacob, and I will look
for him. Behold, I and the children whom the Lord hath given me, are for signs, and
for wonders in Israel, from the Lord of hosts which dwelleth in Mount Sion. Aswell as
in the Magistrates; the ground of the prohibition, to wit, learning of their works, and
the ensnaring of the People, having a more immediate connexion with the People's
joining, than with the Magistrate's commanding them to join; yet as the thing is laid
down in the Paper we think there will be no question about it, because it includes
these Particulars: (1.) The joining of a People who with the consent and approbation,
nay by the commandment and authority of their Magistrates had covenanted with the
LORD, not to join with his Enemies. (2.) That it was when the rule of constituting the
Army was corrupt, to wit, the Publick Resolutions, which made the case desperate and
left no place or remedy for purging of the Army. (3.) That it was when a party of
Malignants who had the sway of Counsels and Actings were brought to the Army,
which being added to the former, not only made the purging of the Army in an
ordinary way impossible, but also carried the stream and current of all their
Resolutions and Actings into a malignant Channel; that they were the prevailing
Party, is more manifest, than that time needs to be spent in verifying thereof. (4.) That
they were carrying on a Malignant Interest, to wit, the establishing the King in the
exercise of his Power in Scotland, and the re-investing him with the Government
inEngland, when he had not yet abandoned his former enmity to the Work and people
of God; and the securing of Power in their own hands under him: And though none of
these four had concurred (all which we believe will be acknowledged by un-biassed
men) yet there was a sin in the People's joining, because few or none of these who did
join, did give any testimony against the Magistrate's employing of the Malignant
Party, but went willingly after the commandment, Hosea 5.11, Ephraim is
oppressed {67} and broken in judgment, because he willingly obeyed and went after

the commandment. It is acknowledged to have been the People's duty, even by these
who justify their joining with them upon the command of the Magistrate, to have
bemoaned it before the Lord, and in their stations to have testified against it before
men.

9. Step. The ninth Step is, the prelimiting and corrupting of the General Assembly, in
regard of the free and right constitution thereof. General Assemblies rightly constitute
in their liberties and freedom, as they are one of the most precious Ordinances of
JESUS CHRIST, so have they been most wholesome and profitable means in this
Kirk, for the purging and preserving all the Ordinances of CHRIST in the Land; and
therefore as it hath been the care of all the faithful servants of God in the Land, to
vindicate and preserve their right constitution and due liberty and freedom; so in the
promoting of any course of defection hath Satan always studied to entrench
thereupon, and to corrupt the same. That the General Assembly was prelimited this
year, is evident by the Letter written by the Commission of the General Assembly to
the Presbyteries, with an Act sent therewith, appointing, that all these who remain
unsatisfied in the Publick Resolutions, after Conference, and did continue to oppose
the same, should be cited to he General Assembly; Which Letter and Act had such
influence on many Presbyteries, that though there were in them many able and faithful
men who were unsatisfied with the Publick Resolutions, yet very few of these were
chosen to be Commissioners; and where any such persons were elected, there was for
the most part either Protestations against it, or else another election of other persons;
by which it came to pass, that almost all these were incapacitated to sit in the
Assembly, and the Meeting was almost wholly made up only of these who had been
instrumental in carrying on the former defection, or were consenting thereto, and were
approving thereof. A more gross prelimitation than this could not readily be, that men,
intrusted by the General Assembly with the Publick Affairs, and to preserve the
liberty thereof, should first (contrary to their trust) open a door for bringing in the
Malignant Party, and then shut the door against the sitting of all these in the
Assembly, where their proceedings were to be tried, who did not before their coming
{68} there, approve of their opening the door to the Malignants; which was not only
to make defection themselves, but to involve others therein, and to take away the
remedy thereof. Beside this gross prelimitation, there was also divers other particulars
of importance that fell out in the Meeting itself, in the constituent Members in the
liberty & freedom of voicing, which were set down at length in the Protestation made
at St. Andrews against that Meeting, and the Reasons afterwards penned for
strengthening thereof, and therefore we shall not need in this place to repeat these
things, but recommends the reading of them to such as desire more fully to be
informed in these particulars. It were tedious to fall on the Acts of that Assembly, and
Warnings issued by them. These things we now leave, as a subject requiring a more
large and distinct consideration; desiring only this one thing to be pondered and

considered: That besides their ratifying and approving the Proceedings of the former
Commission (which were in many things the great grief of all the godly in the Land)
in such ample manner, as even (in way of expression) is not free of some flattery and
vanity; and besides the censuring of some honest men for no other thing but only
protesting against them; and besides, the emitting of Warnings reflecting exceedingly
on former pious and warrantable proceedings, they have laid a foundation for
censuring all Ministers and Professors, and for keeping such out of the Ministry, who
do not approve of all these proceedings, which have this last year so much vexed and
grieved the godly, and so much rejoiced and made glad the Malignant Party and
wicked of the Land: And if these things shall be accordingly executed and take effect,
what persecution shall there be of many godly Ministers, Elders, Expectants, and
Professors; and what a Ministry, and what a Church shall we have in a few years?

10. Article.

The last Head of the Lord's controversy that is mentioned, is deep security and
obstinacy, impenitency and incorrigibleness under all these, and under all the dreadful
strokes of God, and tokens of his indignation against us, because of the same, so that
whilst he continues to smite, we are so far from humbling ourselves, that {69} we
grow worse and worse, and sin more and more: that it is so with us, will not (we
suppose) be denied by any godly man amongst us, who knows and observes the
Land's condition, and the present temper and carriage of the Inhabitants; every man
crying out almost for his affliction, but none almost mourning for his sin. We think it
may be truly said, That sin and iniquity of all kinds, and amongst all ranks of persons
hath been more multiplied and increased in Scotland since the defeat at Dumbar, than
in many years before, and that this Nation was not so dull, hard-hearted, and
impenitent under any of the former rods wherewith the Lord did smite us these years
past, as under these rods wherewith he now smites us; and that this doth much
heighten our iniquity, and speak sad things to come, if not repented of, is evident
from Isaiah 1.5, Why should ye be stricken any more? ye will revolt more and more:
the whole head is sick, and the whole heart is faint. Isa. 9A3-l6,For the People
turneth not unto him that smiteth them, neither do they seek the Lord of Hosts.
Therefore the Lord will cut off from Israel head and tail, root & branch in one day.
The Ancient and Honourable, he is the head; and the Prophet that teacheth lies, he is
the tail. For the Leaders of this People cause them to err, and they that are led of
them, are destroyed. Jer. 5.3, O Lord, are not thine eyes upon the truth? thou hast
stricken them, but they have not grieved; thou hast consumed them, but they have
refused to receive correction: they have made their faces harder than a rock, they
have refused to return. Jer. 8.4-7, Moreover, thou shalt say unto them, Thus saith the

Lord, Shall they fall, and not arise? shall he turn away and not return? Why then is
this People of Jerusalem slidden back by a perpetual backsliding? they holdfast
deceit, they refuse to return, I hearkened and heard, but they spake not aright; no man
repented him of his wickedness, saying, What have I done? every one turneth to his
course as the horse rusheth into the battle. Yea, the Stork in the Heaven knoweth her
appointed times, and the Turtle, and the Crane, and the Swallow observe the time of
their coming; but my People know not the judgment of the Lord. Isa. 42.23-25, Who
among you will give ear to this? who will hearken and hear for the time to come?
Who gave Jacob for a spoil and Israel to the robbers? did not the Lord, He, against
whom we have sinned? for they would not walk in his ways, neither {70} were they
obedient to his Law. Therefore he hath poured upon him the fury of his anger, and the
strength of battle; and it hath set him on fire round about, yet he knew not; and it
burned him yet he laid it not to heart. Lev. 26.14-39, But if you will not hearken to
me, and will not do all these Commandments; And if ye shall despise my Statutes, or if
your soul abhor my Judgments, so that ye will not do all my Commandments, but that
ye break my Covenant: I also will do this unto you, I will even appoint over you
terror, consumption, and the burning-ague; that shall consume the eyes, & cause
sorrow of heart: and ye shall sow your seed in vain, for your enemies shall eat it. And
I will set my face against you, and ye shall be slain before your enemies: they that
hate you shall reign over you, and ye shall flee when none pursueth you. And if you
will not yet for all this hearken unto me, then I will punish you seven times more for
your sins. And I will break the pride of your power; and I will make your Heaven as
Iron and your Earth as Brass: And your strength shall be spent in vain; for your Land
shall not yield her increase, neither shall the Trees of the Land yield their fruits. And
if ye walk contrary unto me, and will not hearken unto me, I will bring seven times
more plagues upon you, according to your sins. I will also send wild beasts among
you, which shall rob you of your children, and destroy your cattle, and make you few
in number, and your high ways shall be desolate. And if you will not be reformed by
these things, but will walk contrary unto me: Then will I also walk contrary unto you,
and will punish you yet seven times for your sins. And I will bring a sword upon you,
that shall avenge the quarrel of my Covenant: and when you are gathered together
within your Cities, I will send the pestilence among you; and ye shall be delivered into
the hand of the enemy. And when I have broken the staff of your bread, ten women
shall bake your bread in one oven, and they shall deliver you your bread again by
weight; and ye shall eat and not be satisfied. And if you will not for all this hearken
unto me, but walk contrary unto me: Then I will walk contrary unto you also in fury;
and I, even I, will chastise you seven times for your sins. And ye shall eat the flesh of
your sons, and the flesh of your daughters shall ye eat. And I will destroy your high
places, and cut down your Images, and cast your carcasses upon the {71 } carcasses
of your Idols, and my soul shall abhor you. And I will make your Cities waste, and
bring your Sanctuaries unto desolation, and I will not smell the savour of your sweet

Odours. And I will bring the Land into desolation; and your enemies which dwell
therein shall be astonished at it. And I will scatter you among the Heathen, and will
draw out a sword after you; and your Land shall be desolate, and your Cities waste.
Then shall the Land enjoy her Sabbaths as long as it lieth desolate, and ye be in your
enemies' Land; even then shall the Land rest, and enjoy her Sabbaths. As long as it
lieth desolate, it shall rest; because it did not rest in your Sabbaths when ye dwelt
upon it. And upon them that are left alive of you, I will send afaintness into their
hearts in the Lands of their enemies; and the sound of a shaken leaf shall chase them;
and they shall flee, as fleeing from a sword, and they shall fall when none pur sueth
them. And they shall fall one upon another as it were before a sword, when none
pursueth; and ye shall have no power to stand before your enemies. And ye shall
perish among the Heathen, and the Land of your enemies shall eat you up. And they
that are left of you, shall pine away in their iniquity in your enemies' Lands, and also
in the iniquities of their fathers shall they pine away with them.

FINIS.

I A Humble

ACKNOWLEDGMENT

OF THE

SINS

OF THE

MINISTERY

OF

SCOTLAND.

***
*

Printed in the year 1653.

THE
PREFACE.

ALTHOUGH we are not ignorant, that mockers of all sorts may take occasion by this
Acknowledgement of the Sins of Ministers, to strengthen themselves in their prejudices
at our persons and Callings, and turn this unto our reproach, and that some may
misconstrue our meaning therein, as if we did thereby intend to render the Ministry of
this Church base and contemptible, which is far from our thoughts, We knowing and
being persuaded in ourselves, that there are many able, godly, and faithful Ministers
in the Land; yet being convinced that we are called to humble ourselves, and to justify
the Lord in all the contempt that he hath poured upon us: That they who shall know
our sins, may not stumble at our judgments: We have thought it our duty to punish this
following Discovery and Acknowledgement of the corruptions and sins of Ministers,
That it may appear how deep our hand is in the Transgression, and that the Ministers
o/ Scotland have no small accession to the drawing on of these judgments that are
upon the Land.

Only in this following Acknowledgment we desire it may be considered, That there are
here enumerated some sins, whereof there be but some few Ministers guilty, and
others whereof more are guilty, and not a few, which are the sins of these whom the
Lord hath kept from the more gross corruptions herein mentioned; And that it is not to
be wondered at, if the Ministry of Scotland be yet in a great measure unpurged,
Considering that there was so wide a door opened for the entering of corrupt persons
into the Ministry, for the space of above thirty years under the tyranny of Prelates,
and that also there hath been so many diversions from, and interruptions of
endeavours to have a purged Ministry in this Land.

THE

SINS

Of The

MINISTERY

First, such as are before their entry
to the Ministery.

1. LIGHTNESS and profanity in conversation, unsuitable to that holy Calling
which they did intend, not throughly repented of.

2. Corrupt education of some in the Prelatical and Arminian way, whereby their
corruptions and errors were drunken in, and abilities improven, for
strengthening and promoving the same, not repented of.

3. Not studying to be in CHRIST, before they be in the Ministry; nor to have the
practical knowledge and experience of the Mystery of the Gospel in
themselves, before they preach it to others.

4. Neglecting to fit themselves for the Work of the Ministry in not improving
prayer and fellowship with God, education at Schools and opportunities of a
lively Ministry, and other means, and not mourning for these neglects. {76}

5. Not studying self-denial, nor resolving to take up the Cross of CHRIST.

6. Negligence to entertain sight and sense of sin and misery, not wrestling against
corruption, nor studying of mortification and subduedness of spirit.

Secondly, in entering.

1 . CARNAL, corrupt and crooked ways for entering to the Ministry, such as
bribing in the time of Prelacy, solicitation of friends and the like; whereby
many have not entered by the door, but did climb up another way.

2. Entering to the Ministry by an implicit, execrable, Canonical Oath and
subscription given to the Prelates for acknowledging them, and advancing their
corruptions introduced and to be introduced.

3. Entering to the Ministry without trials, and receiving ordination either from the
Prelate, or by a recommendation from him to the Presbytery, and sometimes
without or against the mind of the Presbytery.

4. Entering either only by Presentations, or by purchased Supplications from the
plurality of the Parishioners, without or against the consent of the godly in the
Parish.

5. Entering to the Ministry without respect to a Commission from Jesus Christ, by
which it hath come to pass, that many have run unsent.

6. Entering to the Ministry not from the love of Christ, nor from a desire to
honour God in gaining of souls, but for by-ends, for a name, and for livelihood
in the World, notwithstanding solemn declaration to the contrary at admission.

7. Some offering themselves to trial without abilities, and studying to conceal and
hide their weakness, by making use of the help and pains of some friend and
acquaintance, or other men's Papers, in several parts of the trial; and some
authorized to preach, and others admitted to the Ministry, who have little or no
ability for performing the duties thereof.

8. Too much weighed with inclination to be called to the Ministry in a place
where we have carnal relation. {77}

Thirdly, After entering, which is first in their private
condition and conversation.

1 . IGNORANCE of God, want of nearness with him, and taking up little of God
in reading, meditating, and speaking of him.

2. Exceeding great selfishness in all that we do, acting from ourselves, for
ourselves.

3. Not caring how unfaithful and negligent others were, so being it might
contribute a testimony to our faithfulness and diligence: but being rather
content, if not rejoicing at their fault.

4. Least delight in these things wherein lieth our nearest communion with God,
great inconstancy in our walk with God, and neglect of acknowledging of him
in all our ways.

5. In going about duties, least careful of these which are most remote from the
eyes of men.

6. Seldom in secret prayer with God, except to fit for Publick performances, and
even that much neglected, or gone about very superficially.

7. Glad to find excuses for the neglect of duties.

8. Neglecting the reading of Scriptures in secret, for edifying ourselves as
Christians, only reading them insofar as may fit us for our duty as Ministers,
and oft-times neglecting that.

9. Not given to reflect upon our own ways, nor suffering conviction to have a
thorough work upon us, deceiving ourselves by resting upon abstinence from,

and abhorrency of evils, from the light of a natural conscience, and looking

upon the same as an evidence of a real change.
10. Evil guarding of, and watching over the heart, and carelessness in self-
searching, which makes much unacquaintedness with ourselves, and

estrangedness from God.
1 l.Not guarding nor wrestling against seen and known ills, especially our

predominants.
12. A facility to be drawn away with the temptations of the time, and other

particular temptations, according to our inclinations and fellowship.
13. Instability and wavering in the ways of God through the fears of persecution,

hazard, or loss of esteem, and declining duties, {78} because of the fear of

jealousies and reproaches.
14. Not esteeming the Cross of Christ and sufferings for his Name honourable, but

rather shifting sufferings from self-love.
15.Deadness of spirit after all the sore strokes of God upon the Land.
16. Little conscience made of secret humiliation and fasting by ourselves apart, and

in our Families; that we might mourn for our own and the Land's guiltiness and

great back- sliding s, and little applying the Causes of publick humiliation to our

own hearts.
17. Finding of our own pleasures, when the Lord calls for humiliation.
18. Not laying to heart the sad and heavy sufferings of the people of God abroad,

and the not thriving of the Kingdom of Jesus Christ, and the power of godliness

among them.

19. Refined hypocrisy, desiring to appear what indeed we are not.

20. Studying more to learn the language of God's people nor [than] their exercise.

21. Artificial confessing of sin without repentance, professing to declare iniquity,
and not resolving to be sorry for sin.

22. Confession in secret much slighted, even of these things whereof we are
convinced.

23. No Reformation after solemn acknowledgments and private Vows, thinking
ourselves exonered after Confession.

24. Readier to search out and censure faults in others, than to see or take with them
in ourselves.

25. Accounting of our estate and way according to the estimation that others have
of us.

26. Estimation of men as they agree with or disagree from us.

27. Not fearing to meet with trials, but presuming in our own strength to go

through them unshaken.
28. Not learning to fear by the falls of gracious men, nor mourning and Praying for

them.

29. Not observing particular deliverances and rods, nor improving of them for the
honour of God, and edification of ourselves and others.

30. Little or no mourning for the corruption of our nature, and less groaning under,
and longing to be delivered from {79} that body of death, the bitter root of all
our other evils.

Secondly, in our Conversation and Walk
with and before these of our Flocks and others.

1. FRUITLESS conversing ordinarily with others for the worse rather than for the
better.

2. Foolish jesting away time with impertinent and useless discourse, very
unseeming the Ministers of the Gospel.

3. Spiritual purposes often dying in our hands, when they are begun by others.

4. Carnal familiarity with natural wicked and Malignant men; whereby they are
hardened, the People of God stumbled, and we ourselves blunted.

5. Slighting fellowship with these by whom we might profit.

6. Desiring more to converse with these that might better us by their parts, than
such as might edify us by their graces.

7. Not studying opportunities of doing good to others.

8. Shifting of prayer and other duties when called thereto, choosing rather to omit
the same, than we should be put to them ourselves.

9. Abusing of time in frequent recreation and pastimes, and loving our pleasures
more than God.

10. Taking little or no time to Christian Discourse with young men trained up for
the Ministry.

1 1. Common and ordinary discourse on the Lord's Day.

12. Slighting Christian Admonition from any of our Flocks, or others, as being
below us, and ashamed to take light and warning from private Christians.

13. Dislike of, or bitterness against such as deal freely with us by admonition or
reproof, and not dealing faithfully with others who would welcome it off our
hands.

14. Not making conscience to take pains on the ignorant and profane for their good.

15. Our not mourning for the ignorance, unbelief, and miscarriages of the Flocks
committed unto us.

16. Impatient bearing of the infirmities of others, rashly breaking out against their
persons, more than studying to gain them from their sins. {80}

17. Not using freedom with these of our charge, and for most part spending our

time with them in common discourses, not tending to Edification.
18. Neglecting Admonition to friends and others in an evil course.
19.Reservedness in laying out our condition to others.

20. Not praying for men of a contrary judgment, but using Reservedness and
distance from them, being more ready to speak of them than to them, or to God
for them.

21. Not weighed with the fallings and miscarriages of others, but rather taking
advantage thereof for justifying ourselves.

22. Talking of, and sporting at the faults of others, rather than compassionating of
them.

23. No pains taken in religious ordering of our families, nor studying to be Patterns

to other Families in the government of ours.
24. Hasty anger and passion in our Families and conversation with others.
25.Covetousness, worldly- mindedness, and an inordinate desire after the things of

this life, upon which followeth a neglect of the Duties of our Calling, and our

being taken up for the most part with the things of the World.
26. Want of Hospitality and Charity to the Members of Christ.
27. Not cherishing Godliness in the People, and some being afraid of it, and hating

the people of God for Piety, and studying to bear down and quench the work of

the Spirit amongst them.

Thirdly in the discharge of Ministerial Duties.
Which is first in regard of labouring in the Word and Doctrine.

1 . NOT entertaining that edge of spirit in Ministerial Duties, which we found at
the first entry to the Ministry.

2. Great neglect of reading and other preparation, or preparation merely Literal
and bookish, making an idol of a book, which hindereth Communion with God,
or presuming on bygone assistance, and praying little.

3. Trusting to gifts, parts, and pains taken for preparation, whereby God is
provoked, to blast good matter well ordered and worded. {81 }

4. Careless in employing CHRIST, and drawing virtue out of him for enabling us
to preach in the Spirit and in power.

5. In prayer for assistance, we pray more for assistance to the Messenger than to
the Message which we carry, not caring what become of the Word, if we be
with some measure of assistance carried on in the Duty.

6. The matter we bring forth is not seriously recommended to God by Prayer to be
quickened to his People.

7. Neglect of Prayer after the Word is Preached, that it may receive the first and
latter rain; and that the Lord would put in the hearts of his People what we
speak to them in his Name.

8. Neglect to warn in Preaching of snares and sin in Pub lick affairs by some, and
too much frequent and unnecessary speaking by others of Publick business and
Transactions.

9. Exceeding great neglect and unskillfulness to set forth the excellencies and
usefulness of Jesus Christ, and the New Covenant which ought to be the great
subject of a Minister's Study and Preaching.

10. Speaking of CHRIST more by hear-say than from knowledge and experience,
or any real impression of him upon the heart.

1 l.The way of most Minister's Preaching too Legal.

12. Want of sobriety in Preaching the Gospel, not savouring any thing but what is
new, so that the Substantials of Religion bear but little bulk.

13. Not Preaching Christ in the simplicity of the Gospel, nor ourselves the People's
servants for Christ's sake.

14. Preaching of Christ not that the People may know Him, but that they may think
we know much of him.

15. Preaching anent Christ's leaving the Land without brokenness of heart, or up-
stirring of ourselves to take hold of him.

16. Not Preaching with bowels of compassion to them who are in hazard to perish.

17. Preaching against Publick sins, neither in such a way nor for such an end as we
ought for the gaining of souls, and drawing men out of their sins, but rather
because it is of our concernment to say something of these evils.

18. Bitterness instead of zeal, in speaking against Malignants, {82} Sectaries, and
other scandalous persons, and unfaithfulness therein.

19. Not studying to know the particular condition of the souls of the people, that
we may speak to them accordingly, nor keeping a particular record thereof,
though convinced of the usefulness of this.

20. Not wealing what may be most profitable and Edifying, and want of wisdom in
application to the several conditions of souls, not so careful to bring home the
point by application as to find out the Doctrine, nor speaking the same with that
reverence which becomes his Word and Message.

21. Choosing texts whereon we have something to say rather than suiting to the
condition of souls and times, and frequent preaching of the same things that we
may not be put to the pains of new study.

22. Such a way of Reading, Preaching, and Prayer as puts us in these Duties further
from GOD.

23. Too soon satisfied in the discharge of Duties, and holding off challenges with

excuses.
24. Indulging the body, and wasting much time idly.
25. Too much eyeing our own credit and applause, and being taken with it, when

we get it, and unsatisfied when it is wanting.
26.Timorousness in delivering God's Message, letting people die in reigning sins

without warning.
27. Voguiness and pride of heart because the Lord fulfilled our word in the year

1648.
28. Rash speaking in the Name of the Lord in reference to the success of our

Armies of late.

29. Studying the discharge of Duties, rather to free ourselves from censure, than to
approve ourselves to God.

30. Shifting to preach in places where we were for the time for fear of displeasing,
in this time of Publick backsliding and trial.

31. Not making all the Counsel of God known to his People, and particularly not
giving testimony in times of defection.

32. Not studying to profit by our own doctrine, nor the doctrine of others.
33. For most part preaching, as we ourselves were not {83 } concerned in the

Message we carry to the People.
34. Not rejoicing at the conversion of sinners, but content with the unthriving of the

Lord's Work amongst his people as suiting best with our minds, fearing if they

should thrive better, we should be more put to it, and less esteemed of by them.
35. Many in Preaching and practice, bearing down the power of godliness.
36. Unfaithful discharge of Ministerial Duties in attending the Armies.
37. We Preach not as before God, but as to men, as doth appear by the different

pains in our preparation to speak to our ordinary hearers, and to others to whom

we would approve ourselves.
3 8. Not making the Ministry a work in earnest as a thing to be accounted for in

every duty, which makes much laziness and unfruitfulness, doing duties ex

officio, not ex conscientia officio, rather to discharge our Calling nor [than] our

conscience.

Secondly, In the Administration of Sacraments.

1 . In Baptism.

1 . LITTLE minding in ourselves, or stirring up of others to mind the obligation
that lies on us and them, by the Covenant made with God in Baptism.

2. Not instructing Parents in their duty, not charging them with their promise
given at the Baptizing of their Children, nor trying what pains they have taken
to perform the same.

3. Being very superficial and formal in the administration of this Ordinance.

2. In the Administration of the Lord's Supper.

1. ADMITTING of mixed multitudes to the Lord's Table, not separating betwixt
the precious and the vile.

2. Unequal dealing with poor and rich, in admitting to, or suspending and
debarring from the Lord's Table.

3. Great neglect to prepare for that action, preparing for it more as Ministers, than
as Christians.

4. Carnal and unworthy carriage of Ministers at the Communion, {84} being more
desirous to have that action by our hands, with credit to ourselves, than with
profit to the people.

5. Thinking when that action is by-hand, that we have a vacancy from other
Ministerial duties for a time.

6. Little wrestling with God to have the People prepared for it, or the guilt of
profaning of it by ourselves and others taken away.

Fourthly, in Visiting.

1 . NEGLIGENT, lazy and partial visiting the sick; if they be poor, we go once,
and only when sent for; If they be rich and of better note, we go oftener, and
unsent for.

2. Not knowing how to speak with the tongue of the Learned a word in season to
the weary and exercised in conscience, nor to such as are under the loss of
husband, wife, children, friends or goods, for the improving of these trials to
their spiritual advantage, nor to dying persons.

3. In visiting, wearying, or shunning to go to such as we esteem graceless.

4. Not visiting the People from house to house, nor praying with them at fit
opportunities.

Fifthly, In Catechising.

1. LAZIE and negligent in Catechising.

2. Not preparing our hearts before, nor wrestling with God for a blessing to it,
because of the ordinariness, and apprehended easiness of it; whereby the Lord's
Name is much taken in vain, and the People little profited.

3. Looking on that Exercise as a work below us, and not condescending to study a
right and profitable way of instructing the Lord's People.

4. Partial in Catechising, passing by these that are rich and of better quality,
though many of such stand ordinarily in great need of instruction.

5. Not waiting upon and following the ignorant, but passionately upbraiding of
them often.

Sixthly, In Ruling and Discipline.

1. NOT making use of this Ordinance of Church-Censures for gaining of souls,
but turning it into a mere Civil punishment; {85} and in the administration
thereof becoming either coldrife [heartless], or without a spirit of meekness,
and using a way either merely rational by worldly wisdom, or merely
authoritative, more than by motives drawn from the love of Christ; and by our
carriage in Judicatories putting a human shape upon the Ordinances of Jesus
Christ, carrying ourselves in too stately a way, like the men of this world.

2. Partiality in administration of Censures with respect of persons, not using the
like faithful freedom towards high and low, sib and fremd [friend and
stranger].

3. Rash taking on us to open and shut Christ's door.

4. By our practice, teaching (as it were) formality in Repentance to offenders,
hardening them in their sins, by accepting bare forms without any evidence of
Repentance, and loosing when we were persuaded Christ did not loose: and of
late turning profession of Repentance into a State engine for men to step unto
preferment and publick employments.

5. Following scandalous persons with the highest Censures of the Kirk, with little
or no care to hold them up to God.

6. Want of compassion to these on whom Discipline is exercised, not labouring to
convince them of sin, but imperiously and with passion instead of zeal
threatening them, thinking it sufficient if we be obeyed, though they be not
gained to Christ.

7. Superficial, sinful, and slight censuring one another, at times appointed for that
end in Presbyteries and Synods, and neglect of faithful freedom and love in
performing that duty.

8. Admitting of men to the Ministry who were not qualified with Grace aswell as
Gifts, notwithstanding the Word of God and Constitutions of this Kirk do
require the one, aswell as the other; which hath been the fountain of many evils.

9. Great unfaithfulness in bringing in, and holding in, unworthy persons in the
Ministry, and keeping Censures off unfaithful men.

10. Unfaithfulness in giving Testimonials and Recommendations, and receiving
persons upon Testimonials merely negative, especially Expectants and Students
of Divinity.

1 1 . Constituting Elderships of such men as are known to be ignorant, profane, and
disaffected to the Work of God, and being {86} careless to have them
consisting of the most able and godly men within the Congregation, a great
cause of much ignorance, profane and scandalous carriage among the People.

12. Neglecting to remove from the Elderships such as are ignorant and scandalous.
13. Neglecting to hold out the necessary qualifications and duties of Ruling Elders,

and to stir them up to their duty.

14. Not carrying ourselves in Judicatories and other ways toward Ruling Elders as
towards Brethren, and joint Overseers in the work of the Lord.

15. Not making conscience of keeping Kirk Judicatories, but wearying of the
expenses and attendance, whereby divers things hath been hastert [hurried] and
miscarried therein; willing deserting of them, and shunning to give testimony in
them, for fear of inconveniences.

16. Not stooping to a gaining way in Debates, nor making application to God for
knowledge of his mind in things debated, before they pass in a conclusion.

17. Wearying to hear men fully who represent their doubts, and to weigh all the
Arguments that can be represented for the negative, before the affirmative be
concluded.

18. Too great animosities in Judicatories, even about matters of small weight.

19. Pride, impatience, and peremptoriness of spirit, not staying on others clearness
in our debates and conclusions, through which it comes to pass that we judge
rashly of precious men; and alienation of affections steals in and is entertained.

20. Hasty concluding of Acts & pressing obedience thereto without convincing
grounds holden forth from Scripture for satisfying the consciences of the Lord's
People.

21. Silence in Assemblies when unsatisfied, being carried by the authority of men,
and too much following other men's light and suppressing their own.

22. Making Votes subservient to the humors of men and human interests.

23. Some altogether neglecting wholesome Acts and Constitutions of Assemblies,
and others, receiving their Acts too implicitly.

24. Too bitter expressions against Adversaries in Pub lick Papers and Sermons, for
eschewing reproaches, whereof there is no fruit but irritation. {87}

25. Abusing transportations by making them too frequent, and almost the ordinary
way of Planting places of any eminency; sometimes enacting them when there
is no pressing necessity, and without tender endeavouring the satisfaction of the
People interested and without care of providing them thereafter.

In relation to the Publick.

1 . NOT studying the controversies of the time, that we might be enabled to hold
forth light, and convince gain-sayers of the truth.

2. Not fearing to meddle in matters too high for us, and desiring to be taken notice
of, more than to be stedable [serviceable, faithful] in the Publick.

3. Following of Publick business, with too much neglect of our Flocks.

4. Following of Publick business with much pride and passion, and loftiness of
spirit upon carnal principles and desire to be esteemed of, rather than true zeal
to Jesus Christ and his matters, and with little or no prayer.

5. Superficial admitting of all to the Covenants, and solemn Acknowledgement,
without taking sufficient pains to instruct and inform them in the knowledge of
the things contained therein.

6. Being too instrumental for bringing disaffected persons to trust.

7. Unequal zeal against enemies, cooling in our zeal against one enemy as it is
increased against another.

8. Much repining at the judgments of God upon the Land from carnal respects,
and transferring the causes of the wrath off ourselves upon others.

9. Too easy satisfied in such things as might tend to the prejudice of Christ's
interest, weighing the consequences of great Revolutions more by respect to
ourselves, than to his honor.

10. Agreeing to receive the King to the Covenant barely upon writing, without any
apparent evidences of a real change of Principles.

1 l.Not using freedom in shewing what we were convinced, was sinful in reference
to the late Treaty with the King, but going on therein when we were not
satisfied in our consciences for fear of reproach and of being mistaken. {88}

12. Silence in Publick, and not giving Testimony after discovery of the King's
Commission given to James Graham; for invading the Kingdom.

13. Pressing the King to make a Declaration to the world, whilst we knew by clear
evidences that he had no real conviction of the things contained therein.

14. Too much desiring to lurk upon by-ends, when called to give a Testimony.

15. Not bearing Testimony against Publick Defections in a right and spiritual way.

16. Unfaithfulness in bearing burden with them, whom the Lord raised up to be his
witnesses against the publick backslidings; omitting to bear Testimony
ourselves upon carnal respects and lukewarmness in adhering to publick
Testimonies formerly given.

A Postscript.

Which could not be gotten printed.

THE foregoing causes of God's wrath being on several days of solemn Humiliation
laid out & confessed before the Lord, we thought fit to subjoin here some other causes
of our late Humiliation; as

1 . The late declining of the Land by consenting & engaging unto the publick
actings of the present Powers, so contrary to the Covenants, & so much
prejudicial to Religion & liberties.

2. The defection of divers, who are accounted religious, from their former
principles, unto Separation, & other Errours of the time.

3. The Usurpation & Carriage of the present pretended Assembly.

4. The English their great Encroachments upon the Liberties of this Church.

5. That the promised Conversion of His Ancient people of the Jews may be
hastened.

6. That the Lord may make our present resolutions for reforming ourselves, our
Elderships & people effectual, and may bless our Endeavours to this purpose.

FINIS.